Foe (film)

OuterMore

Company type	Aerospace corporation
Industry	Aerospace
Area served	Earth orbit

Foe is a 2023 sci-fi psychological thriller helmed by Australian director Garth Davis, who co-wrote the screenplay with Canadian novelist Iain Reid, adapting Reid’s 2018 book. This Australian-American collaboration features performances by Saoirse Ronan, Paul Mescal, and Aaron Pierre. The narrative centers on a couple, Hen and Junior, whose bond is challenged when Junior is conscripted to serve aboard an orbital space station.

The film had its debut at the 2023 New York Film Festival on September 30, 2023, followed by its U.S. release through Amazon MGM Studios on October 6, 2023. In Australia, Transmission Films released it on November 2, 2023. Streaming availability on Amazon Prime Video commenced in early 2024.

Plot

Set in the near future, the story follows Junior and his wife Henrietta "Hen," who reside on an isolated farm. Junior is selected by the aerospace corporation OuterMore to spend two years working on the Installation, a space station orbiting Earth. To provide companionship for Hen during his absence, OuterMore intends to substitute Junior with a biomechanical replica. Although unsettled by this plan, Junior complies with the governmental directive.

As OuterMore’s agent Terrance frequently visits to collect information needed for the duplicate’s development, friction grows. Initially, Junior and Hen’s strained relationship sees a brief improvement but deteriorates again as Terrance’s intrusions increase. Junior grows suspicious and jealous of Terrance’s rapport with Hen, fearing permanent replacement.

Following a confrontation with OuterMore personnel, Junior awakens bound before a group of employees. Terrance reveals that the individual living at home is actually the duplicate activated several months prior—Junior himself is the recent arrival from the Installation. Hen displays unexpected warmth toward the replica, sparking tension between her and the original Junior.

Hen confides that the duplicate helped rekindle her love for her husband but laments its impending shutdown. Their relationship further declines as Junior realizes Hen favors traits embodied by the duplicate rather than himself. Eventually, Hen departs but returns transformed—affectionate and compliant—vowing never to leave again.

Terrance’s final visit confirms that outward appearances have stabilized as Hen greets him warmly and Junior acknowledges their life is "finally getting back to normal."

Cast

• Saoirse Ronan as Hen
• Paul Mescal as Junior
• Aaron Pierre as Terrance
• Jane Harber as News Reporter
• Laura Gordon as OuterMore Customer

Production

In June 2021, it was announced that Garth Davis would direct and co-write the screenplay alongside original author Iain Reid. The principal cast initially included Saoirse Ronan, Paul Mescal, and Lakeith Stanfield. By October, Aaron Pierre replaced Stanfield in the cast lineup. Filming commenced in January 2022 in Winton, Victoria, Australia, and wrapped up in South Australia by April 2022.

Release

Amazon Studios entered negotiations for distribution in July 2021. On August 15, 2023, the U.S. release date was confirmed for October 6, 2023, under Amazon Studios prior to its rebranding as Amazon MGM Studios following their acquisition of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The film premiered during the Spotlight Gala at the 2023 New York Film Festival on September 30.

In Australia, Transmission Films initially planned an October 19 release but postponed it to November 2, 2023. Foe became accessible for streaming on Prime Video starting January 5, 2024.

Reception

Luke Goodsell from ABC Arts remarked that Oscar nominees Ronan and Mescal deliver captivating performances, imbuing the characters Hen and Junior with a complex blend of affection and animosity. However, he observed that despite their strong portrayals, the screenplay by Davis and Reid ultimately falls short.

External links

• Conversation with Garth Davis on The Screen Show, ABC Listen, November 2, 2023