How would your life change if tomorrow you read in the newspaper that science had confirmed the existence of an afterlife?
A scientist does just that in Netflix’s The Discovery, and his announcement shakes the world. Suicides skyrocket immediately. Is he responsible?
Robert Redford plays Thomas, the scientist in question. A year after the big announcement, he’s basically a recluse, still working on his theories in secret with his son Toby (Jesse Plemmons) and a cult’s worth of helpful believers. He’s pushing the envelope, wanting and needing more and more confirmation – if not for the world at large, at least for himself. It’s personal.
Another son, Will (Jason Segel), estranged from his father since the discovery, returns home. On the return journey he meets a woman named Isla (Rooney Mara) who has her own reasons for questioning the afterlife.
This film provokes a lot of existential questions that not everyone will be comfortable with. But there’s a beauty in finding meaning in life. Believer or not, it draws you in to its essential mystery. Unfortunately, the seed is strongly than the story. It’s a great what-if idea but lacks theĀ terrific follow-through I was hoping for. Your enjoyment of this film depends on how well you deal with great thoughts vs great plots. If you like the ethereal quality of Vanilla Sky, this might be your jam. I certainly enjoyed it, perhaps especially for the thoughtful discussion it generates after viewing.
Would such a discovery be best kept secret? Can you even keep something like this secret? And if the meaning of life and death are in flux, is suicide even the end game – mightn’t some take it a step further? This movie’s a little ambitious for its britches, but I admire that.
Redford does great work in his juiciest role in quite a bit – the mad scientist is off-kilter and complex, and perhaps hasn’t quite thought through all the consequences. His sons provide interesting counterpoint: Toby’s adoration and Will’s skepticism temper Thomas’s zeal. Plemmons is delightfully madcap while Segel plays the stoic. The Discovery is well-cast and thought-provoking and worthy of your time.
I was very disappointed with Clint Eastwood’s Afterlife. I expected so much more. This film seems like it has potential. I like those metaphysical films. The premise of this reminds me of the beautiful, I Origins which is one of my all time favorite movies. Wonderful review, Jay.
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Thanks. I wish this movie was more, but I always like a movie that gives me something to chew on.
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Me too.
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Insomnia me is reading you and thinking about this as a movie and a concept!
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Well it was insomnia that made me watch this in the first place!
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This sounds right up my street, I love films that make me think for ages afterwards and I’m obsessed with the idea of life after death so I’ll definitely be giving this one a watch!
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It was neat to be presented with different reactions to the news, but the biggest thing is how you’ll feel yourself. What would you want to know?
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I’m obsessed with ghosts. I’d wanna know if I can come back and haunt tf out of people
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Fab review and I’d definitely want to see this.
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Thank you. I was on the fence about watching this one. I’ll check it out.
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I’m definitely intrigued now. I just binge-watched a Netflix series called 13 reasons why and it was great. You should check it out.
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Thanks, I’m checking it out!
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I was wondering if I should this to my queue. Thanks for help me make up my mind Jay!
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Great review. You knew what was coming as you always do and I didn’t as I always do. I found the plot compelling and the explanation at the end of what had been happening during the movie actually made sense. There clearly was a specific point that the film was working toward and that’s often not the case with musings on death/afterlife.
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This idea has interesting written all over it. I’ll have to check this one out.
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Sounds right up my street. I also tend to like Robert Redford and Jason Segel, so that’s a bonus. I have the ending I’m hoping for in my head, though… so I might be disappointed.
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In the very beginning of hte film, Redford is being interviewed by Mary Steenbergen. There’s a great shot of his craggy old face and you just feel: man, this guy. THIS GUY1
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SHIT! You mean this shit continues after Tubularsock is dead! IS THERE NO REST!
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No rest for the wicked and I’m pretty sure that rules us both out š
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It’s on my TBW list … glad to read your review. š
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Great review of a of a fab premise
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Sounds like an interesting premise. But I need a good plot, too.
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