THE ASSESSMENT

Set in a future dystopian society ravaged by climate change, the government now enforces strict controls over reproduction. When Mia (Elizabeth Olsen) and Aaryan (Himesh Patel) decide to become parents, they must undergo an intense seven-day live-in assessment conducted by Virginia (Alicia Vikander) to determine their suitability. What begins as a hopeful experience for the couple quickly turns into a psychological nightmare, testing their relationship and pushing their moral boundaries. Virginia’s behavior grows increasingly strange and questionable, as she erratically switches between the persona of a mature adult and a child. The performances are persuasive, with Olsen and Patel’s characters gradually breaking down emotionally as the parenting tests progress. The story is hard going though, with the ending offering little resolve. Intense, emotional and depressing.