Robert Pattinson’s Eccentric Leap Into Sci-Fi
Halfway through his transformation from teen heartthrob to an unconventional actor delivering some of the most compelling performances of the modern era, Robert Pattinson headed for the stars—at least, on screen. In A24 and Claire Denis' experimental sci-fi film “High Life,” he plays one of several convicts rocketed into deep space on a dangerous mission to find an alternative energy source. While this role isn’t among his most high-profile, “High Life” is a fascinating experience and has been available to stream for Prime Video subscribers.
From “Twilight” to the Unpredictable: The Pattinson Evolution
Pattinson has become one of the most interesting actors working today. Unpredictable, fearless, and fully committed to diverse roles, he’s come a long way since “Twilight.” Over the last decade, he appears to have evolved both professionally and personally, delivering unforgettable performances. Many point to the Safdie Brothers’ “Good Time” as the beginning of his shift to truly unique roles. Since then, he has embodied eccentric characters far from his early fame as a teen idol.
Even if you don’t recall the details of Netflix’s “The Devil All The Time,” Pattinson’s unsettling preacher and his wild Southern accent are hard to forget. Somewhere between “Good Time” and that role, Pattinson found time to headline “High Life,” which stands out as one of his most complex and experimental films. If you’ve been following Pattinson’s artistic turn but missed this one, it’s worth a look.
A Surreal Space Odyssey
After working with the Safdie Brothers, Pattinson took on space with French filmmaker Claire Denis in her 2018 film “High Life.” Denis co-wrote the movie with Jean-Pol Fargeau, her longtime collaborator since 1998’s “Chocolat.” Unlike Denis’ earlier work about her time in Cameroon, this film follows Pattinson's character, Monte, as he’s sent to the farthest stretches of the solar system on a seemingly doomed mission to find a new energy source.
“High Life” tells its story out of order, so it’s tough to summarize without giving too much away. In simplest terms, Pattinson’s Monte is one of several death row inmates sent into space to harvest energy from a black hole. The crew includes scientist Dibs (Juliette Binoche), who is preoccupied with artificial insemination in space and treats the convicts as test subjects. Mia Goth appears as another prisoner who becomes closely tied to Monte’s journey.
To find out what happens, you’ll need to watch. Fortunately, “High Life” has been available for Prime Video subscribers. The movie may be challenging to follow, but it’s well worth watching for Pattinson’s intense, quietly compelling performance.
Critical Praise and Enduring Mystery
“High Life” is mesmerizing, surreal, and intentionally difficult to pin down—the exact aim of Claire Denis’s 2018 sci-fi remains up for debate. The film seems to enjoy being enigmatic, making Pattinson’s ability to hold your attention all the more impressive. This isn’t his strangest role, but his restrained portrayal of a condemned man adrift in space stays with you long after the credits roll.
Critics were impressed upon its theatrical release. “High Life” holds an 83% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, with Vanity Fair’s K. Austin Collins calling it “eerily sexy” and Geoffrey Macnab at The Independent praising its “fascinating mixture of highbrow and B-movie elements.” Yet, even with strong reviews, “High Life” did not draw large audiences after it premiered at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival—a result that isn’t surprising given its challenging style.
Now, Pattinson has been set to star in the true story-inspired thriller “Primetime,” with early buzz suggesting another notable performance. With any luck, his new project will encourage more viewers to give “High Life” the attention it deserves.
