A smart sci-fi thriller makes landfall in theaters this Friday and you won’t want to miss it. Writer/director Jérémy Clapin’s latest experimental feature, Meanwhile on Earth, combines the best of arthouse adventure and big blockbuster drama to create a singular story of hope against all odds. Heavily dependent on the score and sound design, in the same vein as Sound of Metal, Meanwhile on Earth is a conceptually rich and thought-provoking piece of cinema that seems to breathe new life into the independent film genre.

Facing an Impossible Ultimatum

Newcomer Megan Northam plays Elsa, a twenty-something-year-old woman grieving the disappearance of her older brother, Franck. Franck is an astronaut, whose shuttle disappeared during his first mission into space. He is not yet confirmed dead, only missing. This mystery consumes Elsa, who struggles to adjust to life as an only child. One night, while out stargazing with her dog, Elsa experiences an unexpected and seemingly supernatural event. She begins to hear bizarre sounds which she traces until reaching an antenna-like structure protruding from the ground. Once she gets close to the antenna, she enters a metaphysical portal, much like an invisible phone booth. Immediately, the surrounding outdoor noise is sucked up like a vacuum and she only hears Franck’s omniscient voice.

Watch the Meanwhile on Earth trailer here.

Elsa is confused but mostly elated that she is finally able to communicate with Franck. And best of all, he is not dead. However, her relief quickly deflates once she learns that Franck is being held in space by dark and evil forces. The alien-like creatures negotiate their demands through Franck’s voice. They agree to bring Franck back to Earth only if Elsa is willing to kill five innocent people, so they can inhabit their bodies and live out their lives as human beings. Elsa finds herself in the middle of an unspeakable ultimatum, forced to choose between her conscience and family loyalty. Does she save her brother, or save the lives of the innocent?

A Sonic-Driven Sci-Fi Adventure

Jérémy Clapin crafts a very observant and avant-garde sci-fi film that becomes more visually captivating with every passing minute. Cinematographer Robrecht Heyvaert creates tension with the film’s paranormal structure and his use of lighting, especially in the outdoor scenes, is highly engaging. French multi-instrumentalist Dan Levy’s score competes for the title of main character. It is so memorable and works perfectly as a standalone record. The ethereal quality of the sound is reminiscent of early James Blake (a personal favorite of mine). Megan Northam also does a phenomenal job in her first starring role. I’m certain this is not the last time we will be seeing her name in the credits.

Takeaway

How far would you go to save the life of a loved one? That is the question we are left to ponder at the end of this provocative slow burn of a film. It’s worth noting that if you are sensitive to loud noises or suffer from ear trauma, you may want to skip the film entirely (but you should still listen to the album!). The combination of a stunning score, unique plot, and beautifully choreographed visuals makes Meanwhile on Earth one of the year’s most memorable films.