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| Getting ready for the invasion |
A Review of Encounter by Nick Olszyk
Distribution Service: Theatrical and Amazon Prime
Year: 2021
MPAA Rating, R
USCCB Rating, Not Rated at the Time of this Review
Reel Rating, Three Reels
Disclaimer:
This review contains spoilers.
Everything
in the marketing of Encounter suggested it was classic work of science
fiction, specifically an invasion of mind controlling alien microbes, and the first
five minutes all but confirms this premise. However, doubt about this
assumption mounts quickly, and soon our beloved protagonist may be the source
of his own undoing. Encounter constantly plays with perception, both of
the characters and the audience, culminating in a harrowing climax that affirms
that, even in doubt, we can be sure of God’s love and grace.
Malik
Khan (Riz Ahmed) is a former Marine who – like so many veterans – finds civilian
life difficult. He spends time in prison for minor crimes, bounces around job to
job, and shares limited custody of his children with his ex-wife and her new
husband. One night, he shows up randomly in the room of his two boys – Jay (Lucian-River
Chauhan) and Bobby (Aditya Geddada) – and announces they are leaving
immediately on a fun road trip. Bobby, probably about five, is excited but his
old brother, probably about ten, senses something isn’t right. As they drive
for hours through the Nevada desert, Malik’s behavior is troubling. He actively
avoids being seen and refuses to tell the kids their destination. When he assaults
a police officer at a routine stop, Malik reveals his true intentions. He has
discovered that a race of extraterrestrial beings has infected the world population
and are controlling their actions. He believes there is a haven near Groom Lake
(think Area 51). “Why isn’t mom coming,” Bobby inquires. “Because she’s
infected,” Malik says soberly, “but we’re going to help her.”
As
the film progresses, however, there are more and more holes in Malik’s story. One
night, Malik points out several meteors shooting across the sky. “It’s so
beautiful,” Malik remarks, but Jay looks up and sees nothing. Soon it becomes
clear that Malik is not only delusional but dangerous. Here, the film takes an interesting
turn. We are still rooting for Malik to succeed but in a different manner, not
by conquering the aliens from without but subduing the demons from within.
As
a father, it’s easy to identify with Malik’s misguided zeal. I have two boys
and would do anything to protect them from an outside threat. At the same time,
his mental illness could lead to tragedy. “He didn’t pack any clothes or food,”
an FBI agent tells Malik’s parole officer Hattie (Octavia Spencer). “He’s going
to take them out to desert, kill them, and then kill himself.” “No,” she insists.
“He’s not like that.” Jay seems to realize the gravity of the situation. He claims
to believe his father yet also finds subtle ways to attract attention in the
hopes of rescue. Mailk, too, begins to wonder if the things he perceives are
real. When confronted with proof of his delusion, he finds a way to leave his
kids in the hands of the police while trying to get away safely. This
demonstrates he really does want to do what’s right, even if his mind is
telling him otherwise. The brain is a physical organ and suspectable to error. It
is Malik’s love for his children that proves to be the truth.
Encounter
is also an intelligent mediation on violence and the use of force. Several
times Malik must subdue a perceived threat but shows remarkable restraint,
using only the force that necessary to get away. Even in his delusional state,
he recognizes these men are only acting under the influence of the aliens inside
them. While not true physically, there is much truth to this spirituality.
While the Church has always asserted the right to self-defense, even until “the
lethal blow,”[1] it also
reminds us that our real enemies are “not flesh, but wickedness in heavenly places.”[2] There
are multiple shoot-outs and, based on common film tropes, it is a given that
Malik, the boys, or some combination would be killed. By the end, however, the
boys are found safely, and even Malik himself surrenders. If both the authorities
and the perpetrators are willing to see good in one another, Waco need not
always be the result.
Reflecting
on Encounter days later, I found myself thinking of my paternal role during
the various social upheavals of the past year. Sometimes I think I should immediately
get my kids the Covid vaccine, other times I worry this would cause long term problems.
I send my kids to school everyday fully masked, yet deep in my heart I fear
this is detrimental to their physical and social development. What should a
father do? Both Encounter and my faith remind me that shouldn’t live in
my own head. I can draw on the wisdom of the ages, especially Scripture, the Magisterium,
and those who love me. God put the rainbow in the sky to remind us that -
however bad a calamity might seem - He is always with us. No alien or pandemic
or oppressive government can change that.
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