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Bliss
2021 104 min United States of America R 16+
★5.9
Science Fiction, Romance, Drama
Director: Mike Cahill
Trailers
Description
A mind-bending love story following Greg who, after recently being divorced and then fired, meets the mysterious Isabel, a woman living on the streets and convinced that the polluted, broken world around them is just a computer simulation. Doubtful at first, Greg eventually discovers there may be some truth to Isabel’s wild conspiracy.
Starring
Owen Wilson
Actor
Salma Hayek
Actor
Nesta Cooper
Actor
Awards
1 win & 2 nominations total
Key opinion
Bliss is an ambitious but ultimately uneven science fiction drama that attempts to explore existential themes regarding the nature of reality. While some viewers appreciate its philosophical inquiries and the performances of the leads, the consensus is that the film suffers from poor execution, hollow writing, and a failure to live up to its own high-concept premise.
| Screenplay | The film's ambitious premise struggles under the weight of poor execution, resulting in a narrative that feels hollow and riddled with logic gaps. | |
| Direction | Director Mike Cahill consistently fails to ground his high-concept philosophical ideas in a coherent or compelling cinematic experience. | |
| Theme | The film functions as an existential meditation for those who enjoy contemplative, slow-burn narratives, but leaves others frustrated by its lack of spectacle and perceived pretentiousness. | |
| Acting | Owen Wilson earns praise for a convincing dramatic performance that steps outside his usual comedic archetype, though critics are divided on whether the chemistry between him and Hayek works. |