Vivarium strikes me as an idea for an episode of The Twilight Zone that was expanded into a full-length film. That’s not necessarily a negative but there are moments where you can feel it reaching for something that isn’t quite there. Overall, the concept is executed well and the ominous tone made for a strangely captivating experience.
The opening credits play over nature footage of a parasitic bird species (like a cuckoo) invading the nest of the host species and tricking those parents into raising its young. In a nutshell, that’s what the movie is about as a young couple looking to buy a home is lured into a creepy, labyrinth of housing development and abandoned to raise a baby that isn’t theirs.
The story, by Director Lorcan Finnegan and writer Garret Shanley, parcels out information sparingly in order to keep the audience hungry for more without ever pulling back the curtain all the way. That approach worked well for the majority of the film because it fostered interest but came up a little flat when it came time to satisfy that curiosity. I think there’s enough context to grasp the bigger picture but it’s separate from the journey of discovery the characters are on.
Imogen Poots and Jesse Eisenberg reunited (The Art of Self-Defense) and their portrayals kept me surprisingly invested. At first, there isn’t a whole lot between them and we don’t begin to truly learn about their relationship until the plot mechanism is engaged, but as they navigate their new environment and responsibilities, it takes a harsh toll on their previously hopeful relationship. She owns the story in a much different way than him and turns in one of her best performances.
The minimalist approach worked well with this story. Thanks to focused production design by Philip Murphy and strong cinematography from MacGregor, the ethereal color scheme helps get the most out of the limited set pieces. I’m curious to see what Finnegan will do next.
Recommendation: If you’re in the mood for something creepy, this is a film that certainly overachieves.