The Discovery is a 2017 romantic science fiction thriller film directed by Charlie McDowell, starring Rooney Mara, Jason Segel, Robert Redford, Jesse Plemons, Riley Keough, and Ron Canada. The film follows a scientist whose proof of an afterlife caused a rash of suicides forges ahead with his research, while his disapproving son falls for a troubled woman.

Positives:

• Good performances
• Good cast
• Good score
• Good characters
• Interesting story

Negatives:

• Slow paced
• Lacks intensity

Plot: The plot follows Will (Jason Segel) who’s father is a scientist, Dr. Thomas Harbor (Robert Redford), who has discovered an afterlife after death.  He arrives at his father’s isolated compound with a mysterious young woman named Isla (Rooney Mara), trying to decide what it all means.  The story is pretty slow paced but does take its time gradually revealing the nature of the afterlife’s discovery as well as the characters’ backstories and relationships.  Also, the exposition and reasoning of the afterlife is pretty interesting and thought provoking but admittedly it does lack a certain intensity, drive, or urgency. (4 out of 5)

Characters: For the most part, the characters were pretty likable.  Will is likable although he does come off as a douche, and his resentment of his father is pretty understandable.  Thomas is likable but it is apparent that his focus on his experiments is the reason for the distant relationship he has with Will.  Even with Toby (Jesse Plemons) supporting his father somewhat drives a wedge between the two. Toby is still likable and a counter weight between the two.  Isla is probably the most standout of the characters.  She has this sarcastic attitude and her backstory is just sad.  Even with the events of the story she is just cool.  The supporting characters are pretty decent. (3 out of 5)

Cast: Thumbs up to a really good cast who give good performances.  The main cast consist of Rooney Mara, Jason Segel, Robert Redford, Jesse Plemons, Riley Keough, and Ron Canada.  Loved the chemistry between Mara and Segel. (3 out of 5)

Visuals: This is just a great looking film. The cinematography is beautiful and almost has a bright tone.  Some of the technology used in the film for the experiments aren’t really impressive although the way the film utilizes the memories looks good. (3 out of 5)

Score:  The score is absolutely brilliant.  It has that dramatic, adventurous feel that makes the film seem so lively despite how much the film focuses on death.  Thumbs up to Danny Bensi and Saunder Jurriaans for the musical composition. (3 out of 5)

Writing: Charlie McDowell does a really good job directing the movie.  There is a good focus on characters while revealing more about this interesting story.  Perhaps the two most significant scenes in the movie are the beginning sequence with the interview with Thomas and the cameraman shoots himself, and the sequence where Isla explains to Will how he is in a memory loop.  The romance between Isla and Will and is pretty gradual and the fact that it wasn’t an immediate attraction deserves a thumbs up.  One critique of the film is the fact that the movie doesn’t feel any urgency.  What is driving the characters to want to know?  How will it help them in the future?  Is someone coming to claim the discovery? Are they trying to stop the mass suicides? Are there other parties invested in the experiment? Despite the film’s lack of intensity, the overall script is pretty good.  (3 out of 5)

The Verdict:  In the end, The Discovery is one of those films that is worth a watch.  Despite the slow pace and the lack of intensity, the film does feature good performances by the cast, likable characters, a really interesting story, and a good score. The Discovery gets 3 out of 5.