Gemma (Imogen Poots) and Tom (Jesse Eisenberg), a young couple in search of a home, enter an unconventional real estate office. There, an insistent salesman persuades them to visit a new residential development filled with vacant, strikingly identical houses. After accompanying him, they quickly realize the unsettling nature of the location. The realtor vanishes, and their attempts to leave prove futile. The situation escalates when a baby arrives in a box, accompanied by the cryptic instruction: “raise the child and you will be free.”
In an era dominated by remakes, sequels, and reboots, Vivarium offers a refreshing originality, unburdened by pre-existing source material (excluding the 16-minute short film upon which it’s based). Director and screenwriter Lorcan Finnegan masterfully crafts a genuinely unsettling and eerie atmosphere. While some may question the logic of the protagonists’ decisions, the narrative’s overall coherence remains compelling. However, the core premise arguably stretches thin over a feature-length film. Vivarium might have resonated more effectively as a 55-minute Black Mirror episode, as its 97-minute runtime introduces a degree of repetition.
Imogen Poots delivers a compelling performance, her portrayal of desperation and disgust eliciting a palpable response from the viewer. Jesse Eisenberg’s performance, while not lacking talent, feels somewhat misaligned with the character’s requirements. Senan Jennings, as the grown-up child, delivers a memorably unsettling performance. The decision to dub his voice with that of an adult man, combined with Jennings’ unsettling expressions, is remarkably effective.
The Blu-ray edition presents an acceptable picture quality, although a degree of softness is noticeable. The sound design, while adequate, exhibits a somewhat low volume and limited surround presence. The lack of supplementary features, save for a few trailers for other films, is disappointing, as additional insights into the making of Vivarium would have been welcome.
In conclusion, Vivarium provides an intriguing cinematic experience, although its extended runtime detracts from its overall impact. The film features several novel and memorable scenes, complemented by generally competent performances. While commendable, the film falls short of earning a strong recommendation.
