LFF 2023 review: the enemy almost said the quiet part out loud

Author Ian Reid (I’m thinking about ending things) never shies away from asking what it means to be a man. WITH Enemy, he expands his philosophical repertoire as he traverses further rocky ground. Are all relationships doomed to fail? Can couples truly see each other? How much work does love require? Enemy explores these relationship dynamics against the near-future backdrop of our crumbling planet. Reed co-wrote the screenplay, adapted from his book, with the director. Garth Davis. The result is a visually striking sci-fi story with key performances from a talented cast.

Young but long-married couple Hen (Saoirse Ronan) and Junior (Paul Mescal) live in a remote farmhouse in the American Midwest in the near future. Isolated but content, their only obstacle is increasingly brutal weather fronts. One night, Terrence (Aaron Pierre), was visited by a representative of OuterMore. OuterMore is less about space travel and more about living in space. Terrence tells Junior that he and only he has been chosen to live on the space station for a year. But Hen won’t be alone when Junior leaves. OuterMore has perfected technology that can create an identical AI version of Junior to keep her company. The film tells how Hen and Junior will spend the next year. They both must compare what their marriage means with their individual desires.

There is an unearthly quality Enemy, like I’m thinking about ending things the reality of the characters is a little off. Davis adds to the mystery, reflecting questions of identity against wide shots of vast, dusty pastel lands. The film has a wonderful quality of light, especially in shots of the surreal pink sand. This seething environment collides with humanity’s moral apathy, reminiscent of Wuthering Heights. Adding to this comparison, Mescal is a muscular leader. His plaid shirts and chest hair fight for space with an inner world that Junior is unable to articulate. Reed’s other main character, Junior, is also a primitive, devoted to a man he never tries to understand. Ronan’s role was expanded from the book to great effect. It perfectly captures Hen’s sense of desire. She stands deftly on her feet, trying to cope with her sad appetite. Ronan’s face trembles with tiny movements as Hen climbs out of the box Junior placed her in. And Pierre is great too. Terrence provides grist to the mill of a free-fall marriage by unabashedly inserting himself into Junior’s life. All three actors handled the film’s emotional ending well.

Enemy it is an exhilarating and unsettling experience. Breaking pair bonds in arid environments has never looked so great. It’s worth watching.