Read Mixed User Reviews for High Life

5

The3AcademySinsNov 9, 2019

Stunning visuals and solid acting performances aren't enough to overcome the plodding, meandering, overly convoluted story of High Life. Claire Denis's direction leaves much to be desired. This was a very disappointing watch.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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5

maxamillaJun 9, 2019

Another swing at the sub-genre of 'solitary' sci-fi that Tarkovsky and Kubrick still rule supreme. On par with other misses like 'Moon' and 'Sunshine', High Life really left me feeling at time dull, irritable and lacking the curiosity toAnother swing at the sub-genre of 'solitary' sci-fi that Tarkovsky and Kubrick still rule supreme. On par with other misses like 'Moon' and 'Sunshine', High Life really left me feeling at time dull, irritable and lacking the curiosity to dive deeper into its forced metaphors. While some will applaud the movie for this as a realistic portrayal of the psychological effects of prison, I still think there are more artful ways to achieve this without forcing the viewer into the same despair and boredom as its inmates. Robert Pattinson puts in a good lead performance as does Juliette Binoche and Mia Goth in supporting roles (and the baby is great!), but the rest of the crew is fairly cookie cutter and forgettable which generally wouldn't be too much of an issue other than the immense importance of each character in such a claustrophobic plot. Visually there is nothing new or noteworthy here, except for perhaps a interesting low budget look to many of the space craft and interiors, which makes sure to let you know that this is Indy, in case you forgot. In a very particular rainy day mood maybe this movie strikes accord, but for me this one will be lost to time much the like the inhabitants of the number 7 vessel.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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5

KeithDowApr 24, 2019

Claire Denis' 'High Life' is undoubtedly better on paper than it is on the screen. One has to assume that the script includes certain details like what "The Box" is, or clarify the discrepancy between the fates of the astronaut's bodiesClaire Denis' 'High Life' is undoubtedly better on paper than it is on the screen. One has to assume that the script includes certain details like what "The Box" is, or clarify the discrepancy between the fates of the astronaut's bodies early on versus what we're shown throughout the movie.

Despite the film's limited dialogue, many of the lines feel bizarrely stilted, as if there was a problem in the French-to-English translation regarding the emotional meaning of what Denis was hoping to convey.

As a result, Denis has ultimately made a film that is just interesting enough to keep the audience's attention the entire time, but lackluster enough for them to never really care. Worse, the last twenty minutes are so packed with logical flaws that 'High Life' crashes into its final destination rather than ending on anything that resembles a high note, sadly wasting another superb performance by Robert Pattinson whose time and effort could have been better spent on something else.… Expand

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

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4

Brent_MarchantApr 14, 2019

This meandering, convoluted attempt at merging space sci-fi, edgy eroticism and the fallout of dystopian society never finds its legs, leaving viewers scratching their heads more often than not. Poor sound quality, cheap-looking sets and anThis meandering, convoluted attempt at merging space sci-fi, edgy eroticism and the fallout of dystopian society never finds its legs, leaving viewers scratching their heads more often than not. Poor sound quality, cheap-looking sets and an inexplicably nonlinear script don't help matters as the characters and the story hopelessly seek to sort themselves out. The hype here is definitely ill-deserved, and Robert Pattinson definitely needs to pick better scripts.… Expand

5 of 7 users found this helpful52

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6

TVJerryMay 2, 2019

The ironic title of this film has nothing to do with an elevated lifestyle. It refers to a group of death-row inmates who are sent on a mysterious mission into deep space. The film begins with a lone survivor (Robert Pattinson) and his babyThe ironic title of this film has nothing to do with an elevated lifestyle. It refers to a group of death-row inmates who are sent on a mysterious mission into deep space. The film begins with a lone survivor (Robert Pattinson) and his baby daughter, but eventually rewinds to explore the mystery behind their operation, which involves a potentially evil scientist (Juliette Binoche). The story rambles in several directions, often with more confusion than illumination. With her first English language project, French director Claire Denis has fashioned a visually interesting and often compelling experience that's more about atmosphere and ambiguity than narrative clarity.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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6

m15964May 16, 2019

This movie has a great idea and a great directing to watch and follow it back, but at the ending it falls down and we can't understand what is happening for the characters.

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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6

amheretojudgeApr 22, 2019

Denis has an agenda worth to be explored upon, but the assumed value of "x" in this formula, slams the bridge every time it attempts to connect or make sense.

High Life Denis is a filmmaker that celebrates little wins. Colorful fireworksDenis has an agenda worth to be explored upon, but the assumed value of "x" in this formula, slams the bridge every time it attempts to connect or make sense.

High Life

Denis is a filmmaker that celebrates little wins. Colorful fireworks blazing through the sky that almost covers the space, she, with bottled-up-champagne sprees with all heart and no shame. Take its erotically (or probably just a battery!) charged exotic scene staged to enfold the reserved character of Juliette Binoche, into a magnanimous witch like mythological creature claiming what is rightfully hers through open dark long hairs that gives you the chills which you won't be able to recover from. These tiny moments, is where Claire Denis's, the co-writer and director, heart lies, she expresses metaphors through personifying on the screen and with a get out clause that comes by deeming the film of sci-fi genre, she visually colors it all bright, at times eye-stretching, but at least clear.

While the film distracts you with jaw dropping graphics, the characters are ignored, in fact, by the writers themselves. With no romance between the characters or any development as an individual one, Denis wants us to stay in this inescapable prison. Floating in a spatial bubble so blatantly, there are no bars held on projecting the envisioned theories, it comes with a price as it makes you cringe your body but also marks a vital note on the rule sheet.

Which begs the question, is that exaggerated version necessary to strike fear upon our hearts or is it a manipulative strategy to create a jarring impact? I always thought that as a creator, you are to describe the stakes, maybe Denis should have lowered that bar beforehand. Robert Pattinson never fully cloaks his father figure persona, no hazmat suits or empathy could help him give a boost in this anti-gravity system that may not have the very existence of life and yet claims it High Life- a typical, learning to run before it can walk, case, admirable yet not excusable.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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4

PurpleCrayon4UApr 18, 2019

Wait....What? Hold On, That's Starting To Make Sense-Oh No, It Doesn't You know those films that come out by someone you've never heard of before, and every.single.reviewer. does nothing but give it praise and high ratings...so you see it.Wait....What? Hold On, That's Starting To Make Sense-Oh No, It Doesn't You know those films that come out by someone you've never heard of before, and every.single.reviewer. does nothing but give it praise and high ratings...so you see it.
And for the rest of the day you keep asking yourself 'WTF Did I Just Watch?'-well, this is one of those films. Walk in for the science fiction, leave on a gurney from the aneurysm you experienced trying to figure out what the hell is going on, what the hell does that mean. Some of the visuals are interesting, otherwise, I would watch this only after you have watched everything in the Criterion Collection(987).… Expand

2 of 8 users found this helpful26

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6

TheQuietGamerMar 3, 2021

A group of death row co-eds volunteer for a scientific suicide mission in space led by an artificial insemination obsessed doctor (also an inmate) to collect energy from a black hole and are forbidden to have sex with one another.A group of death row co-eds volunteer for a scientific suicide mission in space led by an artificial insemination obsessed doctor (also an inmate) to collect energy from a black hole and are forbidden to have sex with one another. Unsurprisingly, the ship's specialized masturbation chamber can't keep them satisfied and the resulting sexual frustration mixed with the unethical experimentation taking place and the whole crew realizing that "hey, this situation sucks, I hate everyone around me, and we're never going home" leads to a breaking point full of murder, rape, and self-inflicted loss of life. What is surprising though is that the movie doesn't get interesting until all this stuff passes and we're left with the sole survivor taking care of an infant.

The concept of a science-fiction movie about a man raising a child by himself in the total isolation of the final frontier with no hope of outside support is a compelling one and I wish that had been the focus of the movie rather than all the other stuff. Instead it's just used as a means of delivering a message about beauty blooming from tragic circumstances. Which kind of works, but a lot of its power is robbed by the story being told in a nonlinear manner. High Life literally opens with the protagonist already struggling to be a parent on his own and makes it very clear that everyone else has died beforehand. So when the narrative starts playing catch-up to show us how he arrived in this position, not only is there no tension in the proceedings because we know every character's ultimate fate, but worse it all feels rather pointless as we were informed what the big takeaway is supposed to be at the very beginning.

These missteps mean that the plot isn't able to generate the level of interest it should, which leaves the film to rely on its visuals and imagery to try and captivate. There are certainly moments that will capture your attention and stick with you long after the credits have rolled due to how graphic they are. However, High Life has a problem here as well in that there simply aren't enough of them. The most memorable of the bunch, a grandiose display of self-pleasure, takes place relatively early on making the rest of the running-time a bit of a slog as most of what follows isn't nearly as shocking or disgusting as it thinks it is outside of the regular appearance of semen onscreen. You also have to consider that all of this is taking place to convey the horrible things humans are capable of when horny, frustrated, and have no release. Not exactly original territory. Where it succeeds the most is on the design of the ship itself. The drab, almost rundown looking corridors and bunking really reflect the hopelessness of these criminals venture, with the garden offering the only source of happiness or potential in the surroundings in the same way the baby does in the lead's life.

I can see why this has received so much praise, and I definitely appreciate what is was attempting to do, but it fell short for me in a few key ways. The primary one being how it was told. Had things of played out in chronological order I wouldn't have been so disappointed. Given the feature's fixation on carnal desire, I think the best way to describe it would be to say it shoots its load too early. The climax occurs at the start rather than after a steady build-up of pleasure, preventing what little sentimentality there is at the conclusion from being able to satisfy.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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5

eva3si0nNov 1, 2022

High Life isn't what it seems after watching the trailer. At first glance, it might seem like a Sci-Fi space thriller. But already at the 10 minute you understand that High Life is completely about something else. This is a philological filmHigh Life isn't what it seems after watching the trailer. At first glance, it might seem like a Sci-Fi space thriller. But already at the 10 minute you understand that High Life is completely about something else. This is a philological film asking the viewer questions about the meaning of human existence, the meaning of life itself and what we leave behind. High Life is not aimed at the mass audience, it will be boring and uninteresting to most viewers, especially those who expect Sci-Fi from the film. After all, all this is not here. The plot is also presented non-linearly, the motivation of the heroes is not spelled out in any way by the script. High Life film in which no one explains anything, there are only references to the films of Kubrick and Tarkovsky. The only metaphor that is tracked in the film: people are animals, regardless of the cultural and intellectual development of society. It's boring and flat. By the end, the film finally falls apart from its unspoken. I don't even know who you can recommend High Life to, for me personally this is an empty film that just wants to seem like the Cosmic Odyssey of Kubrick or Solaris Tarkovsky.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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6

LifeisbellablogApr 19, 2020

There was something missing from this movie for me. It was a little disappointing, and I didn't get exactly what I needed from this. I did enjoy the movie, and didn't really feel bored even though there wasn't much going on. But I feel likeThere was something missing from this movie for me. It was a little disappointing, and I didn't get exactly what I needed from this. I did enjoy the movie, and didn't really feel bored even though there wasn't much going on. But I feel like there was a lot of missed opportunities here. The cast was great, the visuals were great, but I feel like this movie had a great opportunity to be suspenseful, and completely threw that opportunity away. If this movie had had a little bit more of those mystery/suspense/horror elements I think it would have been a lot more impactful and would have stuck with me for awhile after.… Expand

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5

JLauSep 27, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Prisoners get sent out into space to do experiments but the one with a science background seems to have authority to conduct reproductive experiments after they have sex in a box.… Expand

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