An eerie new trailer for Claire Denis’ High Life has entered orbit

The French director’s sci-fi masterpiece stars Robert Pattinson and Juliette Binoche.

Words

Charles Bramesco

@intothecrevasse

French audiences have already gotten their first eyeful of High Life, the new sci-fi opus from master director Claire Denis. But for Americans and English-speakers the rest of the world over, this much-murmured-about film has remained an enigma. (Though it has also remained an enigma to many of the festival audiences that have already attended screenings, too.)

That changes at least a little today, as distributor A24 has released their first US trailer for what is sure to be one of 2019’s finest films. The trailer plays it rather close to the vest in terms of what is going on, but one thing’s for certain: All is not well in deep space.

We’re treated to context-free images of stars Robert Pattinson, Juliette Binoche, Mia Goth, and Andre “3000” Benjamin as they mill about their prison complex among the stars, where lawbreakers serve as test subjects in dark biological experiments.

Also in the mix: gynaecological exams, a babbling infant, some light gardening, a “witch” who’s foxy and knows it, and a generalized atmosphere of eroticism and dread.

Being rooted mostly in the abstract and expressionistic, this particular acquisition must have been difficult for A24 to advertise, and it’s to their credit that they’re only slightly trying to trick the public into perceiving this as a straight-up horror film. (Also to their credit: that they chose an extremely handsome film critic to provide their leadoff pull-quote.)

The ticking sound effects punctuating each shot call to mind their spot for Hereditary, a far cry from Denis’ cerebral space odyssey. But if that association is what fills the seats, then so be it.

Published 16 Jan 2019

Tags: A24 Andre Benjamin Claire Denis High Life Juliette Binoche Mia Goth Robert Pattinson

Suggested For You

Robert Pattinson: ‘I want to do a Godard movie’

By Sophie Monks Kaufman

The Rover star reflects on his swift transformation into an actor who's always up for a challenge.

High Life – first look review

By Hannah Strong

Robert Pattinson gets flung into deep space in Claire Denis’ beguiling, exceptional English-language debut.

Claire Denis on how Etta James inspired Let the Sunshine In

By Sophie Monks Kaufman

One of greatest directors working today picks apart the romantic gamesmanship of her wonderful latest.

Little White Lies Logo

About Little White Lies

Little White Lies was established in 2005 as a bi-monthly print magazine committed to championing great movies and the talented people who make them. Combining cutting-edge design, illustration and journalism, we’ve been described as being “at the vanguard of the independent publishing movement.” Our reviews feature a unique tripartite ranking system that captures the different aspects of the movie-going experience. We believe in Truth & Movies.

Editorial

Design