There are 3 main problems with this movie: 1) the director was too intent on making a dark, alien abduction/Rosemary's baby film, 2) the soundtrack also was so dark that it didn't really leave any doubt about what was going on, and 3) the ending was as typical as they come in thrillers.
The material, and the general story are full of possibilities that are simply abandoned in favor of the obvious and predictable. The script tells us that Jillian (Charlize Theron) has experienced serious mental/emotional problems in her past. This element of the story could have kept us in doubt through the whole film: Is her "husband" now an alien, or is it all her delusional mind at work? Yet, the ominous soundtrack never leaves us in doubt: this is not a case of possible mental breakdown - it is an alien movie. Nor does Johnny Depp's emotionless and increasingly ominous delivery of lines (emphasized, to be sure, by the music) leave any doubt after a short time. Pity that the director didn't employ more ambiguous, less "atmospheric" music and more light (this is a very dark film), and direct Depp in a more ambiguous, less ominous delivery of his lines (of which Depp, one of my favorite actors of all time, is more than capable). A less "heavy-handed" approach by the director would have kept us wondering whether to believe Jillian's suspicions or to be suspicious of her, ourselves. The end, is likewise pregnant (excuse the pun) with possibilities, yet the writers and director settled for the same old-same old that we have seen countless times. Please - no sequel!
The material, and the general story are full of possibilities that are simply abandoned in favor of the obvious and predictable. The script tells us that Jillian (Charlize Theron) has experienced serious mental/emotional problems in her past. This element of the story could have kept us in doubt through the whole film: Is her "husband" now an alien, or is it all her delusional mind at work? Yet, the ominous soundtrack never leaves us in doubt: this is not a case of possible mental breakdown - it is an alien movie. Nor does Johnny Depp's emotionless and increasingly ominous delivery of lines (emphasized, to be sure, by the music) leave any doubt after a short time. Pity that the director didn't employ more ambiguous, less "atmospheric" music and more light (this is a very dark film), and direct Depp in a more ambiguous, less ominous delivery of his lines (of which Depp, one of my favorite actors of all time, is more than capable). A less "heavy-handed" approach by the director would have kept us wondering whether to believe Jillian's suspicions or to be suspicious of her, ourselves. The end, is likewise pregnant (excuse the pun) with possibilities, yet the writers and director settled for the same old-same old that we have seen countless times. Please - no sequel!