Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Pattinson stars in disturbing, violent, profane sci-fi tale.
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High Life
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 17 parent reviews
Parents say this film elicited a wide range of reactions, with some viewers finding it mind-numbingly dull and poorly executed in both plot and production, while others appreciated its artistic depth and existential themes despite its graphic content. The movie is deemed unsuitable for children due to its explicit themes of sex and violence, sparking discussions about its value as either an art piece or exploitation of disturbing subjects.
- graphic content
- poor execution
- artistic depth
- adult themes
- divisive opinions
- unsuitable for children
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 3 kid reviews
What's the Story?
In HIGH LIFE, a space mission with a crew of convicts turns to chaos, leaving Monte (Robert Pattinson) struggling to survive outside the solar system while raising his infant daughter.
Is It Any Good?
No matter what anyone might say, there's not one good reason to see High Life -- and a thousand reasons not to. It's a film that loves its contrasts: pensive, stagnant cinematography drenched in production design (think dead bodies vertically floating through space like silent sheet music); soft-spoken dialogue embedded in stillness set against images of blood and death. Writer-director Claire Denis makes it clear: This is art, and if you don't like it, there's something wrong with you. But you're more likely to end up feeling like there's something wrong after you watch the entirety of this film.
The characters are society's worst, and they act out their worst instincts: fighting each other with punches to the face, shovels to the head, and shards of glass ripping through the skin. Not gross enough? How about watching someone's head slowly explode? Or a woman get repeatedly punched in the face while raped in front of her restrained, screaming friends? Film is a medium that allows viewers to see, feel, and experience situations they might otherwise not, and Denis' intention seems to be to provoke the audience far out of their comfort zone. A teen experiencing her first period in front of her dad, images of dead dogs and children -- it's all intended to be a beautiful horror show. Perhaps it's all set in space to demonstrate that nothing is more alien to us than human behavior, but, to what end?
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what they believe the writer-director's intent was in creating High Life. Is there a message?
Cruelty is a theme in the film. How is cruelty displayed? Are criminals deserving of treatment similar to the cruelty they exacted upon others?
Monte says that he finds power in abstinence. What does that mean in this case? On the other hand, his other companions show that sexual frustration leads to violence -- do you think that's true?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 5, 2019
- On DVD or streaming : July 9, 2019
- Cast : Robert Pattinson , Juliette Binoche , Andre Benjamin
- Director : Claire Denis
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : A24
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Run time : 110 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : disturbing sexual and violent content including sexual assault, graphic nudity, and for language
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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