A24’s space thriller ‘High Life’ is a wonderfully weird, challenging look at humanity

Robert Pattinson in High Life (A24)

“Break the laws of nature– you’ll pay for it.”

In Claire Denis’s newest arthouse film High Life, Robert Pattinson’s Monte whispers this statement to himself, since only he and his baby girl remain on a coasting space ship, with no other (living) crew members.

Sure, the study of humanity– in the broadest spectrum– has been depicted to death within films that take place in outer space.  Isolation, loneliness, violence, and goal-oriented manipulation are common themes we’ve witnessed in space films before, and High Life is no different.  But I guarantee that you have never seen a space film quite like this one.

Sell your soul to the dance: ‘SUSPIRIA’ quasi-remake is quite enchanting (no major spoilers)

Dakota Johnson (center) is lead Susie Bannion. (Amazon)

Horror aficionados are particularly skeptical when it comes to accepting the dreaded “remake” and “reboot” treatment of cult classics from the past.  (Four words: ‘The Wicker Man’ remake!! Ugh.)  And when a remake of Dario Argento’s 1977 giallo (Italian horror) masterpiece Suspiria was announced to follow suit, many wondered how a film that iconic could ever be taken into different hands, as well as what else could possibly be squeezed out of a film that isn’t exactly remembered for its super intricate plot.  Fortunately, renowned Call Me By Your Name director Luca Guadagnino is at the helm of the 2018 version, and the man has not only given the original film its justice, but he has created an entirely unique piece of art that merely takes the skeletal framework of the original film, and has transformed it into its own, stylish identity.