Setting itself up in dusty agrarian mundanity is Foe, a film that at first glance gives the impression that it should have nestled itself among the big names of early 2010s sci-fi. Based on a book with the same name by Canadian writer Iain Reid, Foe was developed for screen by Reid alongside Garth Davis who directed the feature. Initially, Foe does not feel particularly reinventive. The film starts where many apocalyptic sci-fi do, with the protagonists living on a farm in a dystopian wasteland. Situated in isolation, the narrative takes place almost entirely in the farmhouse where Hen (Saoirse Ronan) and Junior (Paul Mescal) live, and gravitates around their relationship.
Where Foe sets itself apart from its large-scale, CGI-heavy predecessors such as Interstellar or Gravity, is in its insular closeness. The atmosphere surrounding Hen and Junior’s microcosmic day-to-day can be challenging and existential at times. At its core, this is a profoundly human story that uses elements of science fiction to embellish. Foe takes a narrative that is immeasurably large and then hones in on the most human aspect of it, creating a more enticing and personal story for viewers to follow.
Both Ronan and Mescal are extraordinary in Foe. Their ability to convey so much set against such a minimal backdrop is exemplary. Mystery and secrecy are something these characters are shrouded in despite the fact that we, as the audience, are involved very intimately in their lives. To maintain the peripheral suspicion of a hidden secret whilst being so open is what makes their respective roles in this film standout among their other acting credits. Aaron Pierre is a perfect addition to this small cast. Playing an unsettling stranger named Terrance, Pierre manages to stay on the edge of familiarity and menacing, the perfect combination to add to the mystery.
This film is consistently contradicting the things we know about human behaviour. This challenges our expectations and keeps us on edge whilst we unfold the mystery that Reid and Davis have woven in among the dusty beige desert of Foe’s landscape. Foe avoids predictability despite being so myopic and quickly evolves into an enthralling story about the boundaries of humanity and developing love. This is definitely one of the more underrated releases of this year and succeeds in showcasing the implications of developing technologies on regular life. The lack of advertising of this film took me by surprise. From start to finish Foe is a fantastic story with incredible performance from the small cast, worth noting that both leads are played by Irish actors, and deserves far more recognition than it received.
Foe is playing in cinemas now.
