‘The Assessment’ Review – Parenthood, Control & The Nightmare That Is Vikander [TIFF 2024]

Imagine living in a world where the government controls your most intimate decisions, like having a child. It’s scary. No, terrifying. Yet, here we are, not far from this reality.

Given the current political climate, where reproductive rights are under constant threat, Fleur Fortuné’s feature debut The Assessment feels like a timely and relevant film. It’s a topic that’s top of mind for many, and after its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, it’s sure to spark some important conversations.

The film’s exploration of reproductive control feels like a timeless warning about the dangers of unchecked power. It’s a stark reminder of the fragility of human freedom that brought to mind dystopian novels like Brave New World and Daughters of the North.

The Assessment introduces us to a rather bleak post-apocalyptic future—one brought about by environmental crisis. A border separates the ravaged remnants of the “Old World” from the carefully regulated new one, where Mia (Elizabeth Olsen) and Aaryan (Himesh Patel) live a seemingly comfortable life—though not without sacrifices. The State regulates lifespans (a la magical daily vitamins), leverages its citizens as tools to drive scientific and technological progression, and exiles dissenters without hesitation. 

The State’s suffocating presence is palpable—ever-present and pervasive. It feels like a shadow looming over our main characters, much like the atmospheric dome encasing their home. And, of course, that control extends to the most fundamental aspect of human existence: reproduction. Natural conception has been outlawed and children are grown ex utero using the genetic material of approved applicants. Warning: finite resources and immortality come with some fine print.

When Mia and Aaryan decide they want a child, they must undergo a rigorous assessment to prove their worthiness as potential parents. During the 7-day process, a state-appointed assessor named Virginia (Alicia Vikander) comes into their home to evaluate them. If they fail, it means permanent disqualification from ever having a child.

From childish tantrums to bizarre demands, Virginia’s antics force the couple to confront their flaws and fears, their assumptions about parenting, and even their relationship with one another. Vikander’s performance is mesmerizing as she see-saws between unsettling and endearing. Vikander’s Virginia is unsettling—her erratic behavior and manipulative tactics threaten the fragile equilibrium Mia and Aaryan strive to maintain. The film succeeds in its ability to create a palpable tension.

Virginia’s antics, ranging from childish tantrums to bizarre demands, force Mia and Aaryan to confront their deepest fears and insecurities. Vikander’s performance is mesmerizing as she skillfully walks the line between unsettling and endearing. Virginia’s erratic behavior and manipulative tactics threaten the couple’s manicured lifestyle, creating palpable tension as the film explores the complexities of parenting and its strain on their relationship.

Olsen’s performance shines brightest in the film’s most intimate moments—from her desire to escape her mother’s shadow to her devastating revelations about the idyllic bubble she’s trapped in. Watching Mia’s journey is empowering. It’s impossible not to root for her to break free from her gilded cage. This is a world where conformity rules. Where privacy is a myth. Where choice is an illusion. And it all hits very close to home, especially given our social media-obsessed society where authenticity is often sacrificed for curated online personas.

The Assessment avoids overt exposition, instead inviting us to marinate in fundamental questions about human nature. Can we truly know ourselves, let alone someone else? What lengths are we willing to go to get what we want? And what if everything we worked so hard to build is ripped away from us? Even the film’s structure, with each day bringing a new trial, mirrors the unpredictable nature of life itself.

With experience directing music videos for artists like Drake, M83, and Travis Scott, director Fleur Fortuné delivers a speculative, beautifully bleak, and visually compelling feature debut. Jan Houllevigue’s understated futuristic production design and Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch’s powerful score help create the perfect backdrop for the film’s exploration of parenthood, government control, and our environment. 

Costume Designer Sarah Blenkinsop, known for her work on The Lobster and Black Mirror, makes wardrobe choices that are a masterful blend of subtlety and deception. Like much of the set design, she creates a seemingly simple and barren aesthetic that belies the complex layers and emotions beneath.

Fortuné’s film invites us to ponder the profound implications of immortality and the potential consequences of a world where the fundamental human experience of birth, life, and death is radically altered. What fortune has made is a real gem. She’s crafted a fully realized world, even though we only get to peek into it. But despite being fed just a piece of this world, she’s still able to leave us feeling intimately connected to its characters. If this is just a taste of what she can do, I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us. I have no doubt that audiences will enjoy this dystopian treat. 

The Assessment held its World Premiere as part of the Special Presentations section at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. 

Director: Fleur Fortuné

Writers: Mrs. & Mr. Thomas, John Donnelly

Rated: NR

Runtime: 114m