Denis Villeneuve is putting the finishing touches on his Dune saga, with Dune: Messiah on the horizon. But before you get swept up in the sands of Arrakis, there's a quieter, more intimate masterpiece from the director that deserves your attention—and it's now streaming on Paramount+.
Released in 2016, Arrival is a sci-fi film that trades space battles for emotional depth. Starring Amy Adams as linguist Louise Banks, the story begins when 12 alien spacecraft touch down across the globe. The military turns to Louise to decipher the Heptapods' language, hoping to understand their intentions before global panic spirals out of control.
What makes Arrival so remarkable is how it uses its alien premise to explore something profoundly human: the nature of time, memory, and love. As Louise works with physicist Ian (Jeremy Renner), she discovers that the Heptapods experience time non-linearly. Their language reflects this, and as Louise learns it, she begins to perceive her own life differently.
The film's emotional gut punch comes when Louise realizes that the visions of her daughter she's been having aren't memories—they're glimpses of the future. She sees her child's life, including a terminal illness, and understands that this future is inevitable. Rather than retreat, she embraces it, choosing to experience every moment of joy and pain.
Villeneuve's direction is masterful, pairing his signature visual style with a haunting score by Jóhann Jóhannsson. The film's message about cooperation and unity feels especially resonant today. Unlike Dune, which warns against the dangers of messianic figures, Arrival offers a hopeful vision of humanity working together.
If you're a fan of thought-provoking sci-fi like Prime Video's The Man in the High Castle, Arrival is essential viewing. It's a film that stays with you long after the credits roll, reminding us that even in the face of the unknown, connection is what makes us human.
Don't miss this near-perfect film. Stream Arrival on Paramount+ now.
