Notes
My quick rating - 4.7/10. Descendent is one of those movies that actually reels you in with atmosphere, tough performances, and a truly creepy concept, only to utterly blow it when it counts. But for a while, it's an effective slow burn for a sci-fi/psychological thriller that knows how to get under your skin.
The story centers on Sean (Ross Marquand), who is stuck in a dead-end security guard position while awaiting the arrival of his child with his pregnant partner, Andrea (Sarah Bolger). One evening while on duty, Sean notices an unusual light in the sky, falls off the roof, and finds himself in the hospital with no explanation of what actually happened. In his world, Sean’s reality begins to unravel as he suffers visions from alien creatures, nightmare sequences, and random physical changes such as his keen sense of hearing and the compulsion to draw nightmare pictures.
Marquand absolutely carries this movie. If your main exposure to him has been The Walking Dead such as me, this performance should surprise you. He holds Descendent together through sheer commitment, selling Sean’s confusion and obsession as his grip on reality slowly loosens. Wisely, director Peter Cilella keeps most of his focus on Sean's internal struggle, documenting his descent through fractured dreams and increasingly tense arguments with Andrea. Bolger is also very good, keeping things in focus as a supportive spouse who slowly realizes something is deeply wrong. Her performance feels natural and believable, even as the story becomes more abstract.
Visually, Descendent has some genuinely creepy moments. The alien imagery and dream sequences are frightening yet don't go too far. Nor is the uncertainty about whether Sean is dealing with real trauma or something more extraterrestrial for the most part. In fact, I think the line between what is going on has got to be one of its strongest points, as I was left guessing about everything, for the most part.
Unfortunately, that's where the bottom falls out. Without getting into spoilers, the film makes choices that feel like it completely disregards the careful build-up. Any theories or emotional attachment you may have developed gets tossed in the trash and replaced with this unsatisfying ending that feels rushed and basically disconnected from the rest of the movie. It’s frustrating, especially because Descendent had done so much right up to that point.
This is one of those cases where strong acting and atmosphere simply can’t save a weak script. Perhaps this was more effective on the page, but on screen, it does not land. I walked out of this feeling more annoyed than interested. Kind of a shame, given the promising start this flick had.
Worth watching for the performances and mood, but don’t expect a payoff that matches the buildup.
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