Foe (Reid novel)
| Industry | Publishing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Books |
Foe, the sophomore novel by Canadian writer Iain Reid, was published in August 2018 in the United States through Simon & Schuster. Positioned within the genres of psychological thriller and horror fiction with a science fiction setting, Reid characterizes the book as a "philosophical suspense story." The plot revolves around a married pair residing on an isolated farm whose existence is unsettled by the arrival of an unfamiliar visitor.
Foe earned a spot on the Horror Writers Association's 2018 Bram Stoker Awards Preliminary Ballot under the category "Superior Achievement in a Novel." The novel was rendered into German as Enemy by translators Anke Kreutzer and Eberhard Kreutzer, published by Droemer in 2019.
Plot summary
Taking place in the near future, Foe is told from the viewpoint of Junior, who shares a remote farmstead with his wife Henrietta (Hen). One evening, Terrance, an envoy from the aerospace firm OuterMore, arrives to inform Junior that he has been chosen to embark on a roughly two-year mission to the Installation, a space station orbiting Earth. During Junior’s absence, he will be substituted by a biomechanical replica responsible for caring for Hen. Though unsettled by this news, Junior undergoes regular interviews conducted by Terrance, who collects information to customize the replacement.
Strains develop between Junior and Hen; Junior grows resentful of Terrance’s continual presence while Hen maintains an air of secrecy. After two years pass, Terrance moves in to closely observe Junior’s daily life and frequently questions Hen, intensifying Junior’s fears that he himself will be supplanted. When another man identical to Junior appears, Terrance reveals that this newcomer is actually the genuine Junior returning from the Installation, and that the original narrator is the duplicate sent earlier. The replica appeals to Hen but finds no support; subsequently, Terrance deactivates him.
The narrative then switches to the authentic Junior, who expresses satisfaction at being home. Hen confesses that living alongside the duplicate was difficult yet unexpectedly sincere and voices sorrow over its termination. Their relationship deteriorates until Hen briefly departs and returns transformed—more affectionate and nurturing. With Hen’s speech now presented without quotation marks, a brief visit from Terrance reassures that everything seems restored to normal.
Background
In an interview, Reid explained that themes of isolation present in both Foe and his debut novel I'm Thinking of Ending Things are influenced by his upbringing on a remote farm in Ontario. While he appreciates solitude, he also recognizes the significance of human connection; this tension between isolation and companionship forms a central focus.[1]
His fascination with writing about space was sparked by his brother’s career in the space sector.[1] However, after sharing early versions of Foe with him, Reid realized that the space-related aspects function more as symbolic elements than literal components of the storyline.[2]
Reception
Gabino Iglesias, writing for the Los Angeles Review of Books, described Foe as "an engrossing, strange, addictive read."[3] He emphasized its fusion of literary fiction, science fiction, psychological thriller, and horror genres to craft a disquieting tale centered around Junior and Henrietta’s farmhouse. Iglesias commended Reid as "one of the most talented purveyors of weird, dark narratives in contemporary fiction."[3]
Margaret Quamme from The Columbus Dispatch referred to the novel as "stark" and "unsettling," noting that its power derives more from what remains unsaid than what is explicitly revealed.[4] Narrated through Junior’s limited perspective, it presents a constrained viewpoint that prioritizes human behavior over scientific accuracy. Quamme compared it to The Twilight Zone, focusing on psychological exploration rather than futuristic technology. She characterized it as a "[s]ubtly disturbing horror novel [that] lets the questions it raises hover, unresolved."[4]
Film adaptation
Four months prior to the release of Foe, Reid secured the film rights with Anonymous Content.[1][5] In June 2021, it was revealed that Paul Mescal would portray Junior, Saoirse Ronan would take on the role of Henrietta, and Aaron Pierre was cast as Terrance. The project is directed by Garth Davis, who collaborated with Reid on the screenplay. Production credits include Davis, Kerry Kohansky Roberts, Emile Sherman, and Iain Canning, while Reid and Samantha Lang serve as executive producers. Filming commenced in Australia in January 2022.[6]
By July 2021, negotiations were underway for Amazon Studios to acquire distribution rights, with FilmNation Entertainment pursuing international rights.[7]
The film made its exclusive theatrical debut on October 6, 2023.[8]
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<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedBoccella - ↑ Canfield, David (August 15, 2023). "First Look: Paul Mescal and Saoirse Ronan Face a Dangerous Future in Foe". Vanity Fair. Retrieved August 15, 2023.