“I don’t recommend this as a Father’s Day viewing”

     RELEASE: 12.10.21

Unfortunately, Encounter gives us a story we’ve seen before, but it’s elevated by giving roles usually dominated by white actors to actors of color. Story material aside, Riz Ahmed’s performance is jaw-dropping and empathetic, proving his worth as one of the best actors working today, which makes the sloppy second-half of the film all the more infuriating.

The first half builds an interesting premise that, though a retread of many father/son survival flicks before, is both visually stunning and promises payoffs that should make us cry. However, a shift in the midpoint shows us that the promises set up aren’t going to be kept, and unfortunately fall flat while also providing mixed messages to the moral of the story.

Without giving spoilers, I don’t recommend this as a Father’s Day viewing. Also can’t recommend this as an apocalypse film either. However, I can recommend this as another fantastic performance by Riz Ahmed , but if you haven’t seen him in Sound of Metal yet I cannot recommend that film enough!

CONCLUSIVE VERDICT: