From the mind of Thai director Apichatpong Weerasethakul comes a vibrant and stellar cinematic experience. Memoria is a surreal and unexpected experience that is smart, creative and futuristic.

There are films that can make us feel like we’re in an alternative universe or another world, and Memoria is just such a film. Tilda Swinton plays Jessica Holland, a woman from Scotland living in Medellin, Columbia. Jessica has a flower business and her life seems normal—until a loud bang wakes her up in the middle of the night. The noise echoes in her head throughout the day and it keeps her up at night. Jessica starts to realize that the noise may have a larger meaning toward her existence, and an encounter in the forest outside Bogata confirms her suspicions.

The best part Memoria is that it can be hard to tell where reality ends and fantasy begins. I also loved Memoria’s use of audio technology. The film almost felt at times more like a stage production than cinema.

Memoria may come off as odd at first, but I found it to be a breathtaking and exhilarating experience. I was in awe. Three and a half stars for Memoria.