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Evolution

Play trailer 2:10 Poster for Evolution Released Nov 25, 2016 1h 21m Mystery & Thriller Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
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83% Tomatometer 65 Reviews 44% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
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Evolution

Evolution

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Critics Consensus

Creepy, provocative, and aesthetically absorbing, Evolution marks a satisfying step forward for director/co-writer Lucile Hadzihalilovic.

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Critics Reviews

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Alexandra Heller-Nicholas The Blue Lenses Evolution sways and bubbles like the slow-motion seaweeds and corals that permeate it. It is a film that beckons us closer, enticing us to fall into it and drown. Rated: 9/10 Aug 25, 2018 Full Review J. R. Jones Chicago Reader Hadihalilović maintains a dank, spectral mood, and she's admirably disciplined in her slow revelation of what amounts to a gynocentric nightmare. Jan 26, 2017 Full Review Matthew Lickona San Diego Reader It's easy to imagine the 85-minute runtime being trimmed to 60, given the limited action and abundance of long, static takes, but then, Hadzihalilovic probably wants to give the dread time to soak in. Rated: 2/5 Dec 15, 2016 Full Review Erica Peplin Vague Visages Like the boy at the bottom of the ocean, the enigma of Evolution will only deepen upon reflection. Dec 5, 2023 Full Review Vadim Rizov Filmmaker Magazine This is a pleasure to watch, an uneasily gorgeous surface to skate over. Jan 23, 2023 Full Review Emma Wolfe SpookyAstronauts I didn't enjoy this film as much as I thought I would but it was interesting. Apr 22, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Taylor L It wouldn't matter if this movie was dubbed in Swahili, you can watch any five minute segment and immediately know that it's French. Evolution is a film that refuses to stick to what the audience might want, for better or worse. The dialogue is minimal and the storytelling is frequently visual as a result, told in small increments that deliver horror through an IV drip as you're forced to think about what each revelation might mean once it's challenged your assumptions about the plot. There are endless long, static shots that are beautifully composed and framed, but they are still long, static shots, and they are listless and low-energy given the setting - a small, isolated community where unpredictability lurks beneath a placid surface. Evolution has a creative premise and is well-composed, but I just found the narrative structure and slow pace alienating, at least with this first viewing. If I were in a "let's slow everything way down" mood, I might have called it a masterpiece. (3/5) Rated 3 out of 5 stars 10/13/22 Full Review james g Yes, when body changes start happening (to every human ever) things can get weird, especially when no one around wants to talk about it. And here it is, a "Parable About Puberty" and what may or may not be on the other side. About questions kids might have and about how some answers are just plain stupid and senseless because society doesn't allow for some words to be spoken. To make a horror film about a universal issue that every kid experiences is a great concept. But to make it sort of slow with long tracking shots (lovely, true) that don't move the story forward doesn't make a great horror movie. ART film=4 stars, Bergman worthy. Horror film=2 stars, sorta snoozy. Average, 3 stars. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Liam D A messed up but sometimes beautiful film This Drama I would recommend for people who are interested in underrated horror movies but it's not for everyone Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/15/21 Full Review Dale B Other than the beautiful cinematography, there isn't much to see here. I enjoy 'different' movies but different isn't always good, and this is exhibit A. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/15/21 Full Review Audience Member This is one of those movies that I feel generic critics feel obligated or somehow pressured to give a glowing review due to certain artsy aspects and it being so obviously an independent type movie. I found it often dull, tedious, nauseating and more than a little twisto, as Lenny Bruce would say. All those long held shots that for me added nothing to the effect the director seemed to be going for. And it's repetitious; how many times do we see a kid being taken to a room for some twisted procedure, then see them back in bed in the room with the other boys? Too much was left with no sense of what or why. They writhe around on the beach in some snake or earthworm-like orgy then impregnate a little boy who isn't even in full puberty yet so they can possibly birth some Mongoloid-looking creature? Disturbing? Yes, but not in any productive cinematic way for me. 2 stars Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/26/23 Full Review Audience Member Omg totally confusing movie with a shitt ay ending. Like what the heck with the nosebleeds thought that was important but had no meaning... science experiments in a nasty building like that with antiquated tools? Everyone would die of a staph infection lol. Do not watch this save yourself 2hr of confusing boredom. How they can categorize this as a thriller or horror is insane. It's like more whack science fi not scary just disturbing. Like don't watch it at all. Super horrible movie. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Evolution

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Cast & Crew

The Canal 74% 49% The Canal Watchlist The Boy 31% 38% The Boy Watchlist TRAILER for The Boy Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension 15% 27% Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension Watchlist Demon 92% 54% Demon Watchlist TRAILER for Demon The Lazarus Effect 13% 23% The Lazarus Effect Watchlist TRAILER for The Lazarus Effect Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Director
Lucile Hadzihalilovic
Producer
Sylvie Pialat, Benoît Quainon, Sebastián Álvarez
Screenwriter
Lucile Hadzihalilovic, Alante Kavaite
Distributor
IFC Films
Production Co
Noodles Production, Scope Pictures, Les Films du Worso, Left Field Ventures, Volcano Films
Genre
Mystery & Thriller, Horror
Original Language
French (France)
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 25, 2016, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 21, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$6.9K
Runtime
1h 21m
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