Foe is set in a near apocalypse where young love is tested. The film is based on the novel by Iain Reid published in 2018. Reid also co-wrote the screenplay with director Garth Davis. The film will leave audiences wondering what can change in the future due to love and the trends of a new era. What goes around, comes around in Foe. It is a film filled with parallel angles for acouple played by Saoirse Ronan and Paul Mescal as husband and wife. The young love between the two makes the audience curious about their fate. Their solitude married life turns into a sci-fi revelation. However, it can lead to dire consequences.

The year is 2065. The setting is a secluded farm where thecouple, Hen and Junior, live. The farm has been in Junior’s family for many years. Hen and Junior find themselves in a mixed place with each other. One day, a stranger comes to their door out of the blue. His name is Terrance (played by Aaron Pierre), and he offers Hen and Junior a proposal that will change their life forever. Terrance offers Junior the opportunity to take on a job at an orbiting space station. However, Hen cannot go. Junior wants the mission but does not want to leave his wife. Hen wants what is best for Junior but feels a sense of disconnect. The solitary lifestyle that Hen and Junior live is not free of problems. Terrance involves himself in their life by using artificial intelligence and all kinds of eerie experiments to bring new revelations into all their lives. The film explores the future of artificial intelligence and reveals that it does not always find a proper balance with love.

Foe’s direction is spellbinding, the emotions are poetic, and the tension is strong. There are complicated dynamics between Hen, Junior, and Terrance. What is Terrence trying to do? Create something better for Hen and Foe? Create something revolutionary for himself? Is there more to the future that Hen and Junior are not aware of? Is Terrance bringing any positive change to the life of Hen and Junior? Ultimately, there is more dramatics to the power of love in Foe. Love is hard, and the sci-fi narrative of Foe adds that concept to the futuristic reality that is the center of this movie. Ultimately, the reversal of time in this enthralling setting falls flat which is why there are many unanswered questions.

Foe is promising to the audience because of the feelings Junior and Hen have for each other. The performances of Ronan and Mescal are deep. What Terrance is doing to them may seem beneficial, but also, they are in love. Do they want their relationship to have other unnecessary elements? The secluded life they lead is where their struggle is. Could a change in their reality offer something better? Only Junior and Hen can know what is right for them. Terrance can only provide what his offer has in store.

The future of Foe may have a light that comes fromchange, or a could involve a life that is in a turmoil of sadness. The young love between Junior and Hen is where Foe thrives. Once Terrance is part of the picture, the writing and direction go awry. Fortunately, the film does not go downhill dreadfully, but does lose its pacing and fails to be totally engrossing. Thankfully, the cinematography of the settings remains strong throughout. Two-and-a-half out of four stars for Foe.