Communion

Communion is a chilling and thought-provoking 1989 science fiction drama film based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Whitley Strieber. The film reflects a mesmerizing blend of fear, confusion, and intrigue, unfolding in a manner that successfully holds the viewer's attention and builds a sense of apprehension.

Christopher Walken, the legendary actor known for his distinctive performances, headlines the movie. He steps into the shoes of Whitley Strieber, a successful author living a seemingly normal life with his wife and son in New York City, imbuing the character with a unique intensity that is both captivating and eerie. The remarkable Lindsay Crouse stars as Strieber's wife, Anne, bringing depth to her role as a supportive spouse but also adeptly conveying her mounting fear and concern as the story progresses. The veteran actress Frances Sternhagen also adds significant gravitas to the tale, playing Whitley's skeptical yet concerned psychiatrist, Dr. Janet Duffy.

The idea behind Communion is drawn from Strieber's own claimed experience, which thrusts the aspect of realism in what can be ordinarily considered as fantastic storytelling. Director Philippe Mora, known for his idiosyncratic style, brings a sense of heightened reality to the phenomenon of purported alien abduction and subtly draws the viewers into the puzzle – offering an immersive film experience.

The movie begins with Strieber and his family spending a blissful weekend at their secluded cabin in upstate New York. However, from that weekend onward, the life they knew changes abruptly: Strieber begins having weird nightmares and suffers from inexplicable episodes of memory loss. As time progresses, these intriguing yet disturbing occurrences take a toll on his life and work, pushing him to question his sanity.

To unearth the truth behind the bizarre incidents he's experiencing, Strieber seeks help from Crouse's character, Anne. She suggests hypnosis as a tool to unlock his blocked memories, offering a hint to the audience that something outlandishly extraordinary might have transpired. The rest of the film effectively uses tension, mystery, and poignant exploration of the fear of the unknown composed with clinical treatment scenes and surreal dreamlike sequences.

As the story unfolds, the audience becomes witness to Strieber's unraveling sanity and his desperate attempts to comprehend his own terrifying experiences. His journey is simultaneously personal, even intimate, but also a relatable exploration of ordinary individuals venturing into the extraordinary - the way we react when confronted with something that challenges our established conceptions of reality.

While Communion is indeed a science fiction drama, its profound exploration of the psychological realities, family dynamics, and the human mind's capabilities and limitations bring an emotional resonance, making it more than just a genre piece. The movie not only delves into the realm of extraterrestrial life and UFOs, but it also investigates the human psyche's profound depths, and how it responds to events that lie beyond the boundaries of what we understand as normal.

The technical aspects of the film, including the sound design and visual effects, add to the film's grandeur and play a significant role in bringing the story's eerie and surreal elements to life. The looming presence of dread is perfectly balanced with the sympathy drawn toward Walken's character and his evolving predicament.

Communion, despite its apparent themes, is not merely a movie about aliens. It ultimately uses these alien encounters as a medium to delve into bigger issues regarding the human mind and its unexplored territories, making it a gripping psychological drama. A profound narrative further complemented by inspired performances, particularly by Christopher Walken, the film is as much an introspective character study as it is a science fiction story, making it a memorable cinematic experience. The film leaves viewers not only questioning the existence of extraterrestrial life but also examining the human psyche, memory, and the subjective nature of experiences.