Robert Pattinson’s reinvention into an indie darling has been an exercise in pushing artistic boundaries and audience expectations. It may seem like Pattinson- the blockbuster heartthrob- was a whole other person. Maybe at this point, he is. Proving that he’s not one to shy away from obscure projects, (see: Good Time), Pattinson joins forces with famed French director Claire Denis in the brain-busting sci-fi, High Life, a film whose meaning is obtuse but whose beauty is undeniable.
High Life is a story about isolation, survival, and rebirth. Set in deep space, we follow Monte (Pattinson), a convicted criminal who forgoes a traditional prison sentence to serve out his time as a pawn on a spacecraft as part of a governmental experiment. Monte and a handful of other unlucky men and women – including girlfriend Boyse (Mia Goth) – are to spend years in space, with the main objective of harnessing energy from a deadly cosmic vortex (a seemingly monumental task, especially for criminals with little to no education). Taking advantage of the offenders’ vulnerability and circumstance, the crew’s leader, Dr. Dibs (Juliette Binoche) has other plans for the space convicts. In the film’s more risqué moments, we see her personal aim of achieving fertility by using the reproductive parts of the passengers aboard, with or without consent.
It should be mentioned, all of the above is crucial backstory crucial to explain Monte’s situation when we first meet him at the beginning of the film (High Life is told through a series of flashbacks). As High Life opens, we see that Monte is apparently the only living person aboard the spacecraft – except for Willow, his infant daughter (played by 14-month-old Scarlett Lindsey). Kudos to the baby wrangler and Pattinson himself for creating such a warm and comfortable environment for baby Lindsey to thrive in. A sci-fi Cast Away of sorts, Monte no doubt has learned how to care for both him and his daughter over the years of living in isolation, much of his survival dependent upon the spacecraft’s flourishing and vivacious garden.
Meditative and esoteric, High Life is definitely a thought-provoker. It is another ambitious output from Denis, who is known for her highly-cerebral and challenging films. But despite these accolades, High Life is still a challenge to watch. There are questions never answered that can lead to confusion, at times I wondered if I was missing something. The biggest takeaway from High Life is that an open mind should be brought aboard this odyssey.
Make sure you stay through the end credits, audiences are treated to Robert Pattinson’s vocal arrangement in Tindersticks’ song, “Willow”– the film’s end track. It’s a catchy, moody tune that perfectly sums up the vibe of the film- a unique production that demands a second listen to fully appreciate all of the little gems buried in this treasure trove.
High Life is rated R for disturbing sexual and violent content including sexual assault, graphic nudity, and for language. 110 minutes. Opening this Friday at ArcLight Hollywood and The Landmark.
