Taking place after alien crafts land around the world, an expert linguist is recruited by the military to determine whether they come in peace or are a threat.
Direction
Villeneuve's restraint builds unbearable tension.
Cinematography
Those foggy Montana frames are *chef's kiss*.
Score
Jóhannsson's vocals will haunt your dreams.
Director
Denis Villeneuve
Amy Adams
Louise Banks
Jeremy Renner
Ian Donnelly
Forest Whitaker
Colonel Weber
Michael Stuhlbarg
Agent Halpern
Mark O'Brien
Captain Marks
Tzi Ma
General Shang
Abigail Pniowsky
8-Year-Old Hannah
Julia Scarlett Dan
12-Year-Old Hannah
Jadyn Malone
6-Year-Old Hannah
Frank Schorpion
Dr. Kettler
Lucas Chartier-Dessert
Private Lasky
Christian Jadah
Private Combs
Andrew Shaver
Environmental Tech
Pat Kiely
Environmental Tech
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The circular logograms were designed by artist Martine Bertrand; Villeneuve wanted a language that looked truly alien, not just 'weird English.'
Ted Chiang's source story 'Story of Your Life' explores linguistic relativity—the idea that language shapes thought, which the film translates into literal time-perception.
US
