Everyone is looking for some stability in life as it provides them a sense of accomplishment, but also allows them the opportunity to find, both outwardly and within themselves, what makes them happy. Vivarium depicts the story of a young couple who finds the ultimate stability. Gemma (Imogen Poots), a school teacher, and Tom (Jesse Eisenberg), the groundskeeper at that school, are searching for a new home when they come across Martin (Jonathan Aris) and he gives them a tour around a local, beloved neighborhood where houses are flying off the market. They soon realize that this neighborhood is anything but normal, as every house is identical and it seems impossible to get out. Gemma and Tom soon come to understand that they are trapped and must, by any means necessary, find their way out.
More and more I am finding films that are categorized as both horror and comedy, and I am finding that these films, in general, are quite entertaining. Something about Lorcan Finnegan’s Vivarium, however, is different from the commonplace horror/comedy film. Finnegan introduces a thriller aspect to the film in a way that resonates with audiences. Audiences feel trapped like the two protagonists, and, as the film progresses, they begin to feel helpless. One scene in particular depicts Tom and Gemma driving, endlessly, around their development, attempting to find a way out. This scene provides anxiety in the most sincere form, and audiences begin to feel suffocated. Please take into consideration that this takes place within the first twenty minutes of the film, effectively hooking audiences from the beginning. Watching this scene provides me a sensation unlike anything I have ever seen before in a film, as I, too, feel as if I am unable to leave. I feel that I am now trapped in the film and I am a part of this horrific charade with Tom and Gemma.
Poots and Eisenberg have found success in their careers up to this point, and Eisenberg, in particular, has found his way into some big-time films such as The Social Network and Zombieland. Eisenberg always delivers, as his talent is one-of-a-kind and ideal for the roles in which he is cast. Poots has been in smaller-scale films like Fright Night and The Art of Self-Defense, but has maintained the ability to captivate audiences and present the world with some unique and captivating performances. As Eisenberg’s career has progressed, he seems to find himself in more independent films, which, in my opinion, fit his personality and his talent to a tee. Vivarium fits perfectly into the wheelhouses of both Poots and Eisenberg and allows them to be their best selves. Vivarium presents the two young talents a simple but emotional task, as they, along with the audience, try to escape from this Hell.
There are underlying themes and metaphors strewn throughout Vivarium, and while these parts of the film are enjoyable, what is on the surface is the most endearing part of the film. Finnegan (along with writer, Garret Shanley) does a wonderful job of providing audiences with a number of existential questions to ask themselves, but the ideas on the surface of Vivarium are just as enjoyable and present audiences with just as much depth and just as many questions as those underlying, existential questions. From the moment the film begins, audiences find themselves in a never-ending loop of questions about what is taking place. They are forced to piece things together just as slowly as Tom and Gemma, again, making them feel like they are part of the story.
There are complaints that Finnegan and Vivarium make promises early on that, ultimately, are never delivered on. While I understand that the conclusion of the film does not successfully represent what has taken place for an hour and a half, I cannot honestly say what I was expecting. Not really having any expectations for the end, and letting things play out naturally, allowed me to look past what others claim to be incomplete and simply appreciate what is taking place. I am impressed with the ambiguity of the film in its entirety, as well as the ambiguity of its closing moments. Impeccable performances, terrifying images and a story that keeps audiences on their toes and perpetually confused creates a film that engages audiences and never really gives them answers. Audiences are left to contemplate what everything means (as there are a lot of possibilities). Take Vivarium for what it is, a horror/mystery/thriller that contemplates the cycle of life, finds a young couple trapped in a labyrinth and struggles to determine what everything means. Dive deep into the story, but it is important that you first accept what is on the surface before acknowledging the underlying themes of Finnegan’s Vivarium.
P.S. Just so you don’t ruin the film before it begins, do not Google what Vivarium means; it will only dull the film.
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