Karry Best movie of this year hands down!

Clevercell Very disappointing...

Sexyloutak Absolutely the worst movie.

MoPoshy Absolutely brilliant

TheRedLippedReviewer Eerie. The main thing that kept coming to mind as I watched this film was "eerie". I'm not one for jump scares or gore, so maybe that's why I found this more enjoyable than most of the reviewers on here seemed to find it. Contrary to what many of the reviews might say, there really is an impressive story line here. Some moments don't entirely make sense to me yet, but I have a feeling a re-watch would change that. I think the title gives an ideal framework for the overall plot. The "mothers" (possibly mermaids, possibly medical experiments themselves?) seem to be playing god and pushing evolution down an unprecedented path. The themes of the ocean make me think of the young boys as seahorses, carrying offspring and supporting them. The repeating color red in relation to Nicholas is foreshadowing from the get-do: often symbolizing life and revolution, Nicholas seems to be the only person on the island who is trying to fight the current. Definitely artsy, definitely conceptual, definitely not for everyone. However, I think this is some of the most spell-binding cinematography I've seen in quite some time, and easily the eeriest film I've ever seen.

isobellefox I never write reviews, but I feel compelled in this instance to do so. It seems to me that this movie is done a grave injustice by giving it the moniker of "horror" film.Horror implies a lot of things, and some of them are present here. There is a sense of unease and tension. The main character certainly has reason to doubt the sincerity of those who are "caring" for him. For some people, there are elements which might be "disturbing." However, the same can be said for films like Boys Don't Cry and Eraser Head. Though these two films have little to nothing in common either with each other or with Evolution, they two contain "distressing" elements, but are not horror movies.The reason this seems important to me is that horror comes with expectations that this film is not meant to fulfill. This film would better be viewed with the idea, instead, that it is portraying, beautifully, an archetypal dream world, that it is something of a Jungian fantasy.It is full of references to the chthonic nature of the mothers - the ocean, the cave, dark mysterious rooms, the mysterious nature of the mothers themselves. The androgynous nature of the mothers is important, as well. The doors left open through which the boy can, if he chooses, pass.The boy's sketch book in which he draws his OWN archetypes, ferris wheels and cars among other things which we are to understand are not among those he has consciously experienced is perhaps the most brilliant example. All of these things are part of the boy's hero myth, of his gradual act of individuation as he questions his way through this world. There are two possible fates awaiting this boy as there are for any active mind. Will he passively accept his fate among the mothers, or will he rebel? The thing is, you don't have to be interested in psychology to feel these things - they are natural. They are dream elements, and this film is, in a way, a beautiful dream. If it is watched without an expectation of that which makes a horror movie "horrible," there are layers and layers here that can be enjoyed without reference to terminology. You can FEEL them. You can SEE them.In the latter department, this film succeeds wondrously. Every single frame is perfectly positioned to draw us in. It is glorious to look at. The score is also very subtle and beautiful.It really is an amazing film. I just think you have to come at it with as few preconceptions as possible. And you definitely should leave the notion of "horror" at the door. If, then, you DO experience horror, it will be a genuine reaction, and if you don't, you won't feel like the film has failed you.

Red_Identity The ambition that this film has is really something to behold and to admire. It's definitely not a fast paced film at all, and I could easily see many people really not taking to this. However, once the mood settles in and you are able to stay with it it's a very pensive, very meticulously-made film. The performances are quite strong and the actors have a really great hold on what their roles require. The film definitely has many surprises in store and they never feel like cheats or contrivances. I do think the film falls short of greatness, but it's still a very good horror film that continues the great trend of 2016 horror.

shmarie The film did have it's share of eerie moments and it does have a decent premise, but overall it was a disappointment. With the exception of the main character (a young boy), you do not feel much of an emotional connection with any of the other cast members. As other reviewers have mentioned, it has beautiful and artistic cinematography, but I usually chose to watch movies (especially if I am paying to rent them) for the plot and to be entertained. I am not opposed to directors and screenwriters using metaphors and having the audience use their own interpretations when it comes to the motives of the characters and outcomes of certain situations, but with this film it is just way too open-ended- at least for my taste. I felt it was slightly pretentious and tried so hard to be "deep" and artsy" that it kind of did itself (as well as its audience) a disservice. Maybe it would have worked better as a book?