The Discovery (2017)

A Kubrickian sense of dread permeates every frame of The Discovery before we’re even made fully aware of how bleak the film’s world is. McDowell and co-writer Justin Lader nail that sort-of Philip K. Dick-esque nightmarish, nihilistic, outpost-at-the-end-of-the-world-vibe necessary of high concept sci fi while not neglecting to make their characters realistic, relatable and sympathetic.
A few acting ringers in the cast, Redford, Breaking Bad’s Jesse Plemons, but especially Rooney Mara, who completely disappears into the role of troubled love interest Isla, make it easy to sink into the film’s depressive milieu.

The Discovery serves as a scientific and cerebral take on The Leftovers’ more heartfelt struggle for survival in a social apocalypse, and is definitely worth a look. Jean Paul Sartre may have been right that hell is other people, but perhaps the true hell is for those that the other people leave behind.