Vivarium (2019), directed by Lorcan Finnegan, is an eerie psychological thriller that blends sci-fi and horror into a nightmarish fable about modern life, conformity, and entrapment. Starring Jesse Eisenberg and Imogen Poots, the film follows a young couple, Tom and Gemma, who are searching for a home. They are led to a seemingly perfect suburban neighborhood, only to find themselves unable to escape—forced to care for a mysterious child while trapped in an endless maze of identical houses.

The film is visually striking, with its pastel-colored, artificial landscape creating a sense of unease and claustrophobia. The sterile, almost cartoonish design of the neighborhood emphasizes the eerie monotony and lifelessness of their surroundings. This surreal atmosphere is further heightened by the unsettling performances—Poots, in particular, delivers a compelling portrayal of a woman unraveling under psychological torment.

Beyond its surface-level horror, Vivarium is a chilling metaphor for the pressures of societal expectations—homeownership, parenthood, and the repeтιтive cycle of daily life. The film critiques the idea of suburban bliss, exposing it as a suffocating illusion. As Tom and Gemma struggle against their captivity, their desperation mirrors the existential dread of being stuck in a predetermined path with no way out.

While the film’s slow-burn pacing and ambiguous storytelling may frustrate some viewers, it effectively immerses the audience in its unsettling premise. The ending is bleak yet fitting, reinforcing the film’s nihilistic themes.

Vivarium isn’t for those seeking straightforward horror or easy answers, but for fans of thought-provoking, atmospheric thrillers, it’s a haunting experience that lingers long after the credits roll