Maintaining its unique storyline from the original novel, the film diving deeper into the perspective of Hen, captures how our intimate relationships dissolve over time. The careful details in direction, script and acting reveal a powerful ending that links our natural world with our private, domestic lives. How easily we can lose them both, simply from not having the wonder and courage to fight for it. Understanding ourselves, and seeking it in others is a true expression of being human.

Masterfully executed with beauty and emotion that reads as a classical painting. Like the novel - being able to watching it twice will be deeply rewarding!

This film begins with an explanatory caption that sets the scene. Unfortunately I was unable to read it due to one of those pillocks who turn up after a film's advertised starting time, then distract everyone trying to find their seat in the dark. It is high time the London Film Festival, whose screening it was, stuck to their threat to stop such people from entering after the film begins!

Anyway... in the near future, climate change has wrought environmental devastation and large parts of the United States are desert. Young married couple Hen (Saoirse Ronan) and Junior (Paul Mescal) live in one such area. One evening their quiet existence is shattered when Terrance, an official from a shady government/corporate organisation arrives to tell them Junior has been conscripted to spend a year on an experimental space station. But he need not be concerned about Hen being left all alone on the farm: the organisation will provide her with an exact duplicate of Junior - identical even to memories - to tide her over until her husband returns. So begins a period of intense research into Junior's routines and habits (in order the duplicate can be 'programmed' correctly) as Terrance worms his way into the lives of Junior and Hen, while they try to cope with the damage the enforced separation will cause their marriage.

Ronan is very good, giving a subtle, nuanced performance. As Terrance, Aaron Pierre is suitably slimy and made me feel quite angry with his oh-so-reasonable delivery of lines which threaten to tear apart the young couple. Mescal is less good, with a false American accent straight out of a fourth-form production of 'On the Waterfront' and seemingly trying as well to ape Brando's tough guy image (I should note, however, that his performance during the film's big revelation scene is better).

Quite apart from the glaring plothole of if the duplicate is so good, why can it not be sent up to space instead of the unwilling Junior, if you cannot see the plot twist coming a mile off then this is possibly the first film you have ever seen. But as a three-hander production - it would do well as a play - this character-based drama with sci-fi garnish works very well indeed.

Just saw a screening of this film yesterday and for anyone who loves the kind of slow-burn sci-fi that makes you think and feel both during and after viewing, I'd highly recommend this. Very intense performances, and a moody, bleak but beautiful atmosphere throughout. Visually wondrous, and haunting. Repeat viewings seem essential to absorb and reflect on the events and implications. I can almost see this as a distant relative to Blade Runner, and the direction humankind is headed in the decades to come, but that's about all I can say. Don't want to spoil anything. I'm ready to seek out and read Iain Reid's source novel and his previous book.