Quartile rating: 6/10 · 1 rating
Two colleagues at a revolutionary research lab design technology to improve and perfect romantic relationships. As their work progresses, their discoveries become more profound.
Zoe (2018) is a quietly ambitious sci-fi romance that raises interesting questions about artificial love and what defines humanity, but struggles to fully deliver on its premise. The plot is somewhat predictable and emotionally flat, never quite igniting the tension or depth it reaches for. Ewan McGregor and Léa Seydoux bring earnest performances that elevate the material above its scripted limitations. Visually the film is clean and polished with a sterile aesthetic that suits its themes, though it rarely surprises. Its central concept — AI and the engineering of romance — feels distinctive enough to warrant moderate novelty credit, even if the execution doesn't fully capitalize on it. The ending is underwhelming, resolving emotional threads in a way that feels rushed and unsatisfying.