Just watched Gaia a couple nights back. Overall, I liked it. The film belongs to an important sub-genre that I hope more directors play with: environmental horror. Jaco Bouwer - the director of Gaia - is definitely talented. He delivers some pretty heavy statements about the abusive relationship between humanity and Nature, and the paradox of Nature appearing distinctly alive in the face of climate change. But he manages to do this in a fun and entertaining way, without talking over our heads or berating us with his ideas. Most importantly, he doesn't assign blame to any single party in the film. Everyone takes their turn as monster in a world where Nature and human society are inextricably intertwined. Pointing fingers is just a distraction from dealing with the problems at hand.
What are the problems? Overpopulation, pollution, rampant consumption of resources. In response to these issues, Nature develops a biophysical defense mechanism that infests humans and turns them into the Nature they are destroying. To better understand what is happening, the characters of the film take mushrooms to tap into the mind of Gaia, the 'global brain.' One character becomes obsessed with the technology of revelation (the mushroom) and starts worshipping it. His idolatry and addiction soon leads him to sacrifice his only living son so that he can continue being favored by the mushroom, and spared the fate of becoming the mushroom. If that sounds complicated, it's because it is. But don't worry - Gaia is fun to watch with some amazing creature design and effects. I recommend.
What are the problems? Overpopulation, pollution, rampant consumption of resources. In response to these issues, Nature develops a biophysical defense mechanism that infests humans and turns them into the Nature they are destroying. To better understand what is happening, the characters of the film take mushrooms to tap into the mind of Gaia, the 'global brain.' One character becomes obsessed with the technology of revelation (the mushroom) and starts worshipping it. His idolatry and addiction soon leads him to sacrifice his only living son so that he can continue being favored by the mushroom, and spared the fate of becoming the mushroom. If that sounds complicated, it's because it is. But don't worry - Gaia is fun to watch with some amazing creature design and effects. I recommend.