- Release year: 2022
- Director: Victor Danell.
- Producers: Albin Pettersson and Olle Tholén.
- Screenplay by: Victor Danell and Jimmy Nivrén Olsson.
- Cinematography by: Hannes Krantz.
- Music by: Oskar Sollenberg and Gustaf Spetz.
Synopsis: a girl loses her father as he’s chasing aliens and years later finds a clue that makes her believe he might not be dead, after all.
Shotgun Commentary: thrilling adventure with an emotional rollercoaster on the side.
Review
Watch the Skies is a sci-fi thriller with non-stop twists and an investigation that will keep you on edge until the very end. Anyone who like sci-fi mysteries the likes of Coherence (2013), will certainly enjoy this gripping adventure. The story is definitely not as terrifying as the one in the aforementioned film, but it is certainly just as fascinating.
The game
The feature follows Denise (Inez Dahl Torhaug), a girl whose father was obsessed with finding life beyond Earth. During one of his outings in search of clues, he goes missing, never to be seen again. Years later, Denise starts seeing signs that point out to something more than a simple disappearance. She investigates and begins to think her father was actually abducted, which leads her to get in contact with his old colleagues: UFO Sweden. An organisation of quirky individuals who are always on the fence about actually searching for answers.
Her adventure takes her to unexpected paths, pushing the limits of her principles and priorities, as well as exposing her darkest, ugliest side. The origin of the film (Sweden), is clear in its stark contrast with the common Hollywood narratives that follow similar paths. In most American films, wholesome investigations tend to start rocky and get worse until the protagonist redeems themselves.
After this, things begin to go well and your emotional distress is over, even though the main adventure is still ongoing. However, in this case, the emotional distress isn’t over. In fact, it won’t be over until the very last minute of film. Will you suffer and be more invested than you should about a fictional tale? Yes. Is it worth it? Absolutely.
The players
On top of a great story that combines mystery, science, superstition, and way more trauma than a film of this vibe is expected to have, Watch the Skies works superbly thanks to the wonderful performances by the whole cast, starting with Torhaug. Denise’s journey is an incredibly taxing one, both physically and emotionally. She is forced to face ugly truths, potentially deadly unknowns, and worse of all, herself. This painful evolution is beautifully captured by Torhaug, who brings life into the character effortlessly.
As for the rest of the cast, they all complement Torhaug magnificently. Jesper Barkselius as Lennart and as Sara Shirpey as Lemi holding the most weight, since their characters are Denise’s emotional catalysts. Barkselius presents a fascinating character with a very dynamic evolution and overall easily liked, while Shirpey embodies the tough-love character that Denise never knew she needed. Through very different personalities, both are in charge of helping Denise find herself, or, at the very least, not lose herself entirely.
Obviously, no good sci-fi film would be complete without a few gorgeous visual effects. The use of these is discreet but thoughtful, conveying the confidence of the artists involved in that decision, as well as the talent of the creators themselves. The mindful usage of fictional imagery not only provides that otherworldly style to the movie, but also helps enhance the actual narrative, making it clear that the story is great enough to stand on its own regardless of the effects.
All in all, Watch the Skies is a riveting sci-fi thriller. The story is always surprising you, enhanced by the great acting and incredibly work of the professional behind cameras. A film that all fans of science fiction and/or mystery can enjoy.
Advice to take from this movie:
- Don’t insult the only people who bother to help you.
- Not all mysteries can be solved on the first try.
- Sometimes, you can be right and wrong simultaneously.
What’s your take? Have you watched Watch the Skies? Don’t hesitate to let me know your thoughts in the comments section below, or leave a message in my contact page! For more reviews and cinema-related articles, check out the rest of my blog! 😀