This is an outstanding film that explores themes far beyond what’s initially apparent. I typically don't care much for movies about aliens—mostly because I find them hard to believe (I have difficulty imagining another planet populated with intelligent beings comparable to humans, or advanced enough to visit us). However, this movie really resonated with me; it uses the arrival of twelve spaceships from elsewhere as a vehicle to challenge our conventional understanding of time and its linear progression. While critically lauded, audience reactions were mixed, with some finding it appealing while others didn't. I believe it’s worthy of attention and respect. To fully grasp the story, you need to understand that the spaceships and alien visit aren’t really the central focus; instead, it’s about Time—how we experience its passage and our perception of it. The film employs a non-linear narrative which can occasionally be challenging for viewers. Through dreams, the protagonist experiences visions of her young daughter, leading us to believe she's remembering past events, that she is divorced, and that her daughter has succumbed to illness (I suspect leukemia). However, this isn’t entirely accurate… I won’t reveal more, but it’s important to consider these elements when trying to understand the film. The extraterrestrial visit then becomes a subplot, and the true purpose of their arrival is closely tied to its language and structure. I think I've provided enough hints. The strengths of this movie lie in its reflective and meditative nature, which could frustrate those seeking more action or drama. I can appreciate why some viewers might feel misled by their expectations. The deliberate pacing occasionally feels slow, and the film’s scientific approach can also make it somewhat difficult to follow. Ultimately, the plot quality declines, becoming more predictable and reliant on familiar tropes, but I didn't find this particularly problematic. Amy Addams delivered a wonderful performance; I feel she was overlooked by the Oscars judges that year, and at minimum, a nomination would have been deserved. She clearly invested herself in her role with genuine emotion and dedication. Jeremy Renner also gave an excellent portrayal, perhaps one of his finest to date, alongside “Hurt Locker.” Unfortunately, this is where the standout performances end: other actors are present, but they weren’t given sufficient material to work with. A prime example is Forest Whittaker, who shone in “The Last King of Scotland,” but here he was saddled with a underdeveloped character—though even then, he managed to make something worthwhile out of it. Despite only winning one Oscar for Sound Editing, the film received nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Sound Mixing and Best Production Design. I’m not very familiar with Dennis Villeneuve's work; in fact, this might be the first of his films I’ve seen. Therefore, I'm probably not qualified to assess his directing abilities definitively. However, I did appreciate his direction here: he brought depth and feeling to a film that could have easily been just an excuse for flashy visual effects and CGI. The special effects are present, well-executed, and effective, but the movie is much more than that! The cinematography is also strong, with many blurred scenes crucial to creating and manipulating the atmosphere, contributing to the growing tension and sense of mystery. The editing was also very well done, although there were some pacing issues. Finally, I want to commend Johann Johannsson's soundtrack, particularly his selection of Max Richter’s melody “On the Nature of Daylight.”

Source on TMDB