In 2018, a horror movie starring Robert Pattinson and Mia Goth came out, and despite its critical success, the movie never really got the attention it deserved. In recent years, Pattinson and Goth have broken out as notable Hollywood stars. Although Pattinson got his start in the Twilight franchise, he has since proven his acting chops with serious roles in The Devil All The Time and The Batman. Furthermore, Goth has become a verifiable scream queen, starring in Ti West’s X franchise and other popular horror flicks. Yet, this horror collaboration came before all of that.
Notably, Pattinson and Goth’s movie came out in 2018. At this time, Pattinson had just starred in a stretch of small-scale indie movies, though one stand-out was 2017’s Good Time. In this Safdie Brothers film, Pattinson plays a criminal who is trying to release his developmentally disabled brother from police custody. Meanwhile, Goth’s career in 2018 was just starting to pick up, with movies like Marrowbone and Suspiria. In this way, Pattinson and Goth were very much on the verge of incredible success when they starred in their space horror film, High Life.
Robert Pattinson & Mia Goth Starred In A24’s Space Horror Movie Titled High Life
Why Is High Life Critically Acclaimed
Pattinson and Goth’s horror 2018 movie is called High Life. The film follows a spaceship filled with criminals who are facing death sentences and are tasked with extracting energy from a black hole. However, when all the passengers begin to die in sudden and violent ways, only Pattinson’s Monte and his baby daughter are left to complete the mission. The pair rely on each other for survival. Goth plays Boyse, a young woman who is also a criminal aboard the ship. High Life’s cast also includes Juliette Binoche, André Benjamin, and Ewan Mitchell.
According to critics,
High Life
stands out because of its unwillingness to bend to the traditions of its genre.
High Life has a Certified Fresh 82% on Rotten Tomatoes. According to critics, High Life stands out because of its unwillingness to bend to the traditions of its genre. Although it is a sci-fi horror movie, it also blends elements of mystery and thriller into its story. Furthermore, High Life has a slow pace that truly pays off at the end. Audiences may feel like they have no clue what’s going on during the film, but once it reaches its conclusion, many feel that High Life successfully highlights the highs and lows of humanity through a small cast of characters.
Why High Life Didn’t Get Much Buzz Despite Its Positive Reviews
Would High Life Do Better With A Bigger Release?
Although High Life was lauded by critics, the movie went mostly under the radar upon its release. The main reason for this is that the film had a fairly limited release. After premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2018, the movie was released in France, then England, then the United States. By that point, many months had passed since its initial premiere, and the hype surrounding it had likely ebbed. Plus, as previously mentioned, Pattinson and Goth had yet to reach the levels of star power they now have, so their casting likely wasn’t as influential.
If High Life had received a bigger release, there is a chance the movie might have done better financially. On a budget of $8 million euros, the movie only made $2.3 million American dollars, which is just about $2 million euros. With a wider release, more theatergoers might have seen the movie and enjoyed it. The critical praise might have been more effective in garnering audiences. However, it is important to note that, despite critical reactions, the movie only has a 42% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Thus, High Life may have catered more to critics than general audiences.
High Life Was The Start Of Mia Goth’s A24 Horror Streak
How High Life Helped Goth’s Career
Although High Life lacks popularity, the movie was definitely beneficial for its cast. For example, High Life was the first A24 horror movie that Mia Goth ever appeared in. It ended up leading to a strong relationship between the actress and the production company, which has resulted in X, Pearl, and MaXXXine. In many ways, Goth’s connection to A24 has advanced her career in other ways as well. Goth’s performances in the X trilogy have led to her gaining more fans, and in turn, earning bigger roles. Her next big project is Guillermo Del Toro’s adaptation of Frankenstein.
Frankenstein
will also star Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi.
In this way, High Life may be worth revisiting for those who completely missed the film. Pattinson and Goth are both known for giving intense and dedicated performances, so it is likely that audiences will finish the movie feeling affected. More than that, viewers can see for themselves whether High Life is a movie for critics, or if audiences can get enjoyment out of the film as well. It is a dark and difficult horror watch, but High Life deserves to be watched by way more people.