The Assessment is a film that initially premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2024, but recently had its wide release in the U.S. The film stars Elizabeth Olsen, Alicia Vikander, Himesh Patel, and Minnie Driver. In a not-so-distant future where parenthood is strictly controlled, a couple’s mysterious seven-day assessment for the right to have a child unravels into a nightmare, forcing them to question the very foundations of society.

Whenever a 2024 film has a true 2025 release date, it can be frustrating because it feels like you’re trying to get caught up even more. After seeing the film, I’m even surprised this film didn’t at least get a bigger 2024 release or simply more recognition. The film finally debuted in US theaters nationwide last month, but I finally got the chance to watch it via VOD. Needless to say, I am currently surprised this film isn’t getting more attention. Hopefully, a streaming release might give the film justice.

The film opens up on Elizabeth Olsen’s character, Mia, as a kid as she is swimming alone in the waters as she slightly hallucinates her mother calling in from the shore. It transitions into Mia as an adult as she swims back to the coast and walks to her isolated, futuristic home as a dome-like structure pierces the sky. If you aren’t familiar with the plot, I can imagine this being slightly confusing. Then again, if you’ve sought a film like this, you probably have a good understanding what’s going on. As she walks back in, we are brought to her husband, Himesh Patel, as Aaryan as he conducts a scientific study. The couple enjoys their day before their assessment to have a kid begins.

When Alicia Vikander arrives as the assessor, Mia, I didn’t know what to expect, but I was not expecting it to get as crazy as it did. Everything seems normal for the most part, except for a few off things such as Mia not letting the couple ask questions or even spying on them when they are being intimate. Those little aspects may seem bizarre, but in the bigger picture, it’s little compared to what happens next. Mia tests the couple by acting as their own child to see if they are fit to be parents, setting off a chain reaction that will put the couple in a challenging position.

Alicia Vikander is sensational and transcends beyond anything she is done before. She is cold as a person who has to be tough, but also animated when she acts like a little kid, giving the actress the opportunity to do something she hasn’t before. Elizabeth Olsen continues to prove her worth as an actress outside of the MCU. Based off her comments and what she has done lately, she is quickly becoming one of my favorite actresses working today. Himesh Patel gives a solid performance as a complex character that is not as great as he is cracked up to be. Putting all three talents in the lead roles allows the film to properly explore its themes while giving you something to think about long after the credits roll.

When Mia arrives, she is there for seven straight days, each day worse than the last. I loved how the film would suddenly stop on a day at its worst, cut to a new title card representing the next day, and showing what happens next. It’s like each day is a new story that leads into its wonderous third act. By the time the decision is made if this couple will become parents, I thought the film would wrap up. To my surprise, it went on for 20 more minutes that not only followed through on the themes, but reshaped the way you look at the entire film.

By the time the film reaches its conclusion, it ends at the right given moment. There may be more to tell here, but I think it ends at the right moment that shows the consequences of how these three characters end up. It’s quite sad and shocking, and it all works due to what came before. I was surprised by how well paced the 114-minute runtime felt when it could have dragged. The film feels evenly paced all due its performances, intriguing cinematography, captivating sound design, and sturdy direction.

Where the film might lose its viewers, myself included is how odd it can get, especially with some of the more intimate activity. It certainly made me feel uncomfortable at times, but that’s all due to how real the film felt. As for something I would have liked more of is this other world that is barely explored. The film does a great job at capturing what this world looks like in its brief moment, but it would have been interesting to see more of it. I think the film could have captured more of it through a flashback or simply by adding it to the beginning.

Overall, The Assessment is an amazing surprise that I believe deserves more recognition. Vikander gives a game-changing performance while Olsen proves her talents outside of the MCU and Patel gives more proof as to why he deserves more roles. This is certainly unlike any other sci-fi movie out there. It’s intriguing, captivating, and heartbreaking.

VERDICT: 4.5/5 (Amazing)