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Parents' Guide to

I Origins

By Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

Heartfelt sci-fi has interesting ideas, some language, sex.

Movie R 2014 113 minutes
I Origins Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 17+

Based on 2 parent reviews

ramonzzz78
ramonzzz78 Adult
September 29, 2018
age 15+

A clever and beautiful movie about reincarnation

If you want to go deeper into the meaning of life... Watch this movie

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
hananurrehman
hananurrehman Adult
January 7, 2015
age 18+

Pointless film

It is absolutely pointless Just to make their film popular they've inserted it with a first hour of p***ography Could've found a better way to explain a scientific point

This title has:

Too much sex
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Molecular biologist Dr. Ian Gray (Michael Pitt), whose hobby is photographing people's eyes, and his new lab partner, Karen (Brit Marling), are studying the evolution of the eye. They find an origin species with no eyesight at all, a worm, and start from scratch. Meanwhile, Ian meets his dream girl, Sofi (Astrid Berges-Frisbey). But after he loses her to an accident, his computer database of eyes shows a shocking discovery: Certain eye patterns appear to be re-used, passed on from person to person after death. Ian travels to India to track down the new owner of Sofi's eyes, to see if any part of her soul remained behind. The answer to that question could change everything.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (2 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

I ORIGINS is a bit too long and repetitive and a little too generous with its eye-related imagery. Director Mike Cahill made his feature debut with Another Earth (2011), which was written by the brilliant, talented Marling. And while she appears here in a supporting actor capacity, it appears that Cahill may do better under more robust guidance from her. Cahill seems to be playing coy with all these eye references, but they aren't subtle enough to really surprise or challenge.

The movie is more romantic than scientific, and it seems eager to accept a supernatural solution when it should place that burden in the audience's hands. Yet, these days, any sci-fi movie with the barest hint of a science-related idea is a welcome rarity. And above all, I ORIGINS is certainly thoughtful and deeply heartfelt, and it could be hard for dreamers and romantics not to get swept up in the love story. For many viewers, it will be a satisfying experience.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the use of sex in I Origins. How much is there? How does it figure into the story? Does it seem necessary or gratuitous?

  • Why do these characters drink and smoke so much? Does it seem to interfere with their studies or their lives?

  • Does the movie seem to believe in science or in the idea of a spiritual/supernatural world? What's the difference? Is it possible for both to exist at the same time?

  • The symbol of the eye comes up quite frequently in this movie. How many times, and in what ways are eyes referenced? How many ways do you use your eyes -- or the eyes of others -- in real life?

  • What does "the eyes are the window to the soul" mean?

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