18/28

In a near future where parenthood is tightly controlled, a couple’s seven-day evaluation of the right to have a child unravels into a psychological nightmare. There are 2 Rice University Easter Eggs. The Assessment is a sci-fi drama starring Elizabeth Olsen and Himesh Patel as Mia and Aryan, a couple who want a child in the future are given a 7-day test by an assessor (Alicia Viklander) who makes the test possible and if no misses happen , the baby will be gifted, but the expectant parents find it more difficult than they expected. Fueled by strong acting and a unique premise, The Rating is something I really didn’t expect plot-wise, but I think it was brilliantly done. The film unfolds in a format of days 1-7 and each one is as different and fascinating as the next. To be honest, I was expecting this to reuse sci-fi tropes from the past, but I have to say, this is so original and unexpected that I think it was done super well! The way everything connects and what the couple has to do is portrayed so well to the point that it might be the most likely reason for having children in a world affected by climate change. The performances don’t disappoint, Elizabeth Olsen and Himesh Patel were so good that they probably could have been on their own with a completely different storyline and it would have been just as compelling. But Alicia Viklander is also very good, and frankly, she’s very good in the whole sci-fi genre, and it was a pleasure to see her here. It’s just that everyone involved gave it their all, and I really appreciate that with a movie that really doesn’t rely on CGI to be as creative as it is. However, the film is graphic in some places regarding the sex and disturbing interactions from Alica. Viklander’s character acting like a child in an older woman’s body gave me a Poor Things vibe. But that doesn’t really matter and is essential to the plot, but this is definitely for an older audience and I can definitely imagine this being an easy R or 15/18 in the UK if anyone is interested. Overall, while some characters don’t have many resolved storylines, the ones that do are created and executed so well that it’s hard to find anything wrong with The Assessment. You should definitely go and see it when it comes out in mid 2025. I would highly recommend this amazing and creative piece of art when it hits theaters. Rating: A+London Film Festival October 19.

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