Like most film lovers, I’ve come to expect great things from an A24 offering. Their new film, High Life, looks like it could deliver on those expectations. Written and directed by renowned French filmmaker Claire Denis, the film follows Monte (Robert Pattinson, Good Time), the last surviving crew member of a deep space mission, and his infant daughter as he attempts to solve the mystery of what happened to the rest of the crew.

As far as plot details go, the trailer doesn’t offer much. In fact, it asks far more questions than it answers. There seems to be a pretty heavy theme of parenthood and procreating throughout, with one crew member (Mia Goth, A Cure For Wellness) screaming “you realize nothing will ever grow inside us”, and Monte’s daughter being a main focus of the trailer.

Their mission is intended to turn their “shame into some type of glory”

Redemption also seems to be a central theme. The narrator refers to himself and fellow crew members as “scum”, “trash”, and “refuse”, that is until someone decided to “recycle” them. But the ominous tone of the trailer, and more than one comment that comes off as more than a little mad-scientist-like, leads me to think that word is used more literally than you might think. Another crew member (Andre Benjamin, Outkast) remarks that their mission is intended to turn their “shame into some type of glory”.

A24 productions have come to be known for a certain eerie, isolated atmosphere, and this venture has that in spades. Between the deep space backdrop, the palatable tension between characters, and a formidable cast, this could prove to be one of their best offerings yet. High Life is set to be released on April 12, and while I’m not quite sure what to expect, this definitely seems like one to keep your eye out for.

Plot Synopsis:

Monte (Robert Pattinson) and his baby daughter are the last survivors of a damned and dangerous mission to deep space. The crew—death-row inmates led by a doctor (Juliette Binoche) with sinister motives—has vanished. As the mystery of what happened onboard the ship is unraveled, father and daughter must rely on each other to survive as they hurtle toward the oblivion of a black hole.