Movie Review: ‘I Origins’ Opens Your Eyes To A Whole New World (Aladdin Style)

Preston Barta // Film Critic

I ORIGINS | 113 min. | Rated R | Director: Mike Cahill | Stars: Michael Pitt, Astrid Bergès-Frisbey, Brit Marling, Steven Yeun, Archie Panjabi, Venida Evans, Cara Seymour, Rhonda Ayers and William Mapother

Rating: 3.5/4

Mike Cahill’s ANOTHER EARTH (2011) follow-up, I ORIGINS is one of the finest films of the year. It explores themes and ideas that cause us to reflect and think about life in a whole new way. No matter how much trust we have in science or fate, this film successfully brings our attention to the complexity of our physical structure, which we rarely recognize.

Science vs spirituality is the main theme here. Michael Pitt (BOARDWALK EMPIRE) plays molecular biologist Ian Gray, who is working diligently to prove that the evolution of the eye is the scientific proof discrediting creationism and spirituality. However, Ian’s view of life is challenged when he meets the free-spirited Sofi (Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES).

Like Cahill’s ANOTHER EARTH, I ORIGINS probes profound questions about the human existence. It’s a beautifully shot (there are two stinging shots that come to mind; you’ll know it when you see them) and extremely well-acted film, especially Pitt and Bergès-Frisbey. I ORIGINS is quite the trip that will take you around the world, but it also will have you thinking for days and wondering how you would handle “the one that got away.”

P.S. The less you know about this film the better. DO NOT watch the spoiling trailer (my interview cuts all the spoilers).

We had the chance to sit down and talk to the film’s writer-director, Cahill, and his leading star, Pitt, about movies that have left them feeling changed and their perspective of the film business.

I ORIGINS opens on July 25.