TIFF 2024 Review: The Assessment – “Fortuné directs with assuredness and a clear vision.”

Courtesy of TIFF

In a futuristic world, a voice reports atmospheric pressure and radioactivity statistics under ‘the dome.’  It’s a controlled environment, and in a world destroyed by climate change, the government has strict rules over resources.  This also means it has strict population control measures in place.  In order to have a child you must pass a seven-day assessment, a mysterious process that no one really talks about.

So when Mia (Elizabeth Olsen) and Aaryan (Himesh Patel) apply they don’t really know what to expect.  They’ve spent what seems like a good amount of time setting up their peaceful home with space for her greenhouse and botany research.  There’s also a spot for Aaryan to work on his trials of virtual pets, something greatly desired since the government culled all the dogs, cats, and other companion animals to help save resources for the human population.

When the assessor Virginia (Alicia Vikander) shows up at the house she seems a fairly straight-laced individual.  Dressed formally in a suit she begins an interview with the couple, but the questions are anything but routine.  Asking them questions about their sex life and family life.  But, the seven-day assessment isn’t just about observation and questions.  Virginia is about to put these prospective parents through the trials and tribulations of having a child.  She throws tantrums and she puts herself into danger to see their reactions.  But, it doesn’t even stop there.  And as the trials become even more strange and testing, the couple finds themselves at odds with one another.

The Assessment is the debut feature from Fleur Fortuné, a veteran music video director.  She brings all sorts of styles to this film, along with production designer Jan Houllevigue (Sexy Beast).  Together they craft a modern, futuristic aesthetic that is visually appealing and always interesting, whether it is in the home Mia and Aaryan share or in the greenhouse where Mia works.

While Olsen and Patel are predictably reliable in their roles there are two actors here that are standouts.  The first is Alicia Vikander, who absolutely commits to the sometimes bonkers role of Virginia, childlike and bratty as she puts the couple through their paces.  Her performance is at times darkly comedic and at times even a little creepy.  The second is Minnie Driver, who arrives for a dinner party and in her less than ten minutes on screen is one of the more memorable performances of the festival.  She delivers a monologue that basically explains the world that they live in – the class divide, the evolution of how they got where they are now.  And I would have loved just a little more of what Driver’s character describes.  In fact we see very little.

There’s a lot to like about this debut which Fortuné directs with assuredness and a clear vision.  That aforementioned dinner scene for instance is perfection.  So much of this film almost feels like a play, taking place within Mia and Aaryan’s house. I’m just not sure that The Assessment sticks the landing at its conclusion when it tries to leave the confines it had previously so clearly defined. What happens after the assessment is over could have been an even more captivating part of the film or time to even more deeply explore the fallout, but instead, it felt underdeveloped.

And though Virginia’s antics do wear thin and become repetitive, which causes some momentum to be lost as the film runs through its 114 minutes, the premise is an interesting one. And perhaps not all that unbelievable. It seems tailor-made to this moment, where climate change is already altering our environment, and for many increasing anxiety about, or casting doubt on, having children. That concept, and surely Minnie Driver, are what will likely leave the most lasting impression.

The Assessment had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival September 8, 2024.  For more information head to tiff.net.