Parents' Guide to

Evolution

By Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Unpleasant, unsettling French sci-fi art film.

Movie NR 2016 81 minutes
Evolution Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 15+

Based on 2 parent reviews

XSMD
XSMD Adult
November 9, 2022
age 18+

Heavy Thought Provocative Theme of Myths

This is a deep thought provoking concept movie about species evolution akin to mythology, seemingly missed by reviewers. The first key is all women, attraction to water, one with suckers on back revealed, and fetal failures and successful births seen in operating room. The se conf is the Nicolas’s drawings of cars, animals, which don’t exist on island and Ferris wheel, which Stella(his guardian with suckers on back) has no clue what it is or does, as well as the picture of a red headed woman where none on island has red hair and all the boys know the women aren’t their moms. Think!- They are Lost Boys, or kidnapped, in purpose to be used to advance the evolution of some sea life form to be land breathing humanoid, most likely , or maintain their survival in less likelihood. As if Mermaids/men are forcing evolution to land dwelling, or cephalopods(suckers) evolving to bipedal. It’s, as Jack Sparrow says, a “Heady Tonic” to twist your mind on, but think back to all the Greek and other culture myths of hybrid and chimeric entities’ origins. These woman are asking to Neptune’s daughters. While we play with genetics, who’s to say others aren’t or our origins are in question of predecessors. From Peter Pan to Pinocchio to Ancient Mythologies, this movie tweaks the themes of evolution’s pressure snd transformations and a desire to ascend in form. BTW, Nicholas was returned home to humanity/civilization because he remembered too much of it, especially a red headed mother, that proved out Stella’s compassion balanced against her evolutionary drive. Like the Monster in Bride of Frankenstein telling Victor snd his bride to go.(sincere, though not so drastic)

This title has:

Educational value
April C.
April C. Adult
November 26, 2016
age 12+
This is not a family film. The photography is beautiful but the entire movie is slow. Fast forwarded most is It. There is no explanation as to who the woman are. What are they hoping to Accomplish with the expeller indentation on the boys. Among numerous other questions . The movie ends abruptly with the viewer left sorely disappointed
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In EVOLUTION, a young boy named Nicolas (Max Brebant) who's living in some kind of dystopian future (or an alternate reality, or another planet) finds the body of a dead boy floating in the water. His mother (Julie-Marie Parmentier) checks it out and announces that there is no dead boy. But she's lying, and it's revealed that the women who run this world are secretly using the boys in unusual medical procedures: It seems that they're actually causing new children to grow within the boys' bodies. But a nurse (Roxane Duran), moved by Nicolas' drawings, makes a decision to change his fate.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2):
Kids say (1):

This strange, austere sci-fi art film may engage viewers looking for something different, but for most, it will be a queasy, unsettling experience, requiring much patience for little reward. Director/co-writer Lucile Hadzihalilovic seems to want to say something about reproductive rights, but her tone is heavy and oppressive, as if she doesn't trust the audience to come to the correct conclusion. The movie spends many long, quiet moments either pondering or stretching out the thin story.

From its sci-fi scenario, the movie elicits basic questions, including: Where do the women come from if only boys are around? And just how does this awful society work on a day-to-day basis? As mysterious and beautifully filmed as it is, Evolution nonetheless seems more intent on message-making than on storytelling. It may well leave you cold.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Evolution's violence and horror imagery. What effect did it have on you, and how did it go about achieving that effect?

  • What does the movie seem to be saying about reproduction and male/female roles? Does a movie need to have a clear message to be effective?

  • Why do you think the nurse rescues Nicolas and sets him free? What's different about him? What connection do they have?

  • How does Evolution compare to other brainy sci-fi movies you've seen?

Movie Details

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