High Life

Robert Pattinson accepted the main role in Claire Denis' first film in English, and since then, he has made a pattern of working with directors who create work that is both demanding and polarizing.

High Life depicts a group of convicts from Death Row who are transported into space to gather fuel from the black hole. The film is both mystifying and wonderful in equal measure. Because this is both a space film and a Denis film, nothing positive can possibly happen in it; and sure enough, within a short amount of time, there is death via suicide, murder, and even spaghettification.

However, Robert Pattinson's role as Monte is not the same as the other characters. For one thing, his crime was to kill the person who was responsible for the death of his dog. In addition to this, he has chosen to remain celibate and is the sole person who does not make use of the infamous "f-k box."

Still, this does not prevent Juliette Binoche's character, Dr. Dibs, from seducing and raping Monte, which ultimately results in the birth of a kid. Scenes in which Pattinson interacts with his child are just as emotionally impactful as those in which he is by himself and speaks to himself. And despite the fact that the story is recounted in fragmented pieces, Pattinson's acting is what keeps High Life moving in the right direction.

Year of Release: 2018

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 82%