Riz Ahmed (Fingernails) plays Malik, a father of two young boys. Having served as a Marine for many years, he hasn't been around much and the film uses science fiction to explore the reality of his untreated PTSD. He arrives one dark night and snatches Jay and Bobby from under the noses of his ex-wife and her new partner. The film then becomes a road trip. Malik is taking the boys to a 'safe place' to avoid what he claims are microscopic aliens infiltrating the bodies of half the population.
It is a poignant portrait of a decorated veteran let down by the system upon his return to the USA, with his trauma-based mental health problems left unaddressed. We tag along on what Malik considers a rescue mission, becoming embedded in his delusion. Over time, only the older boy, Jay, begins to perceive the reality of his father's condition.
About halfway through, the truth becomes obvious to the audience too, as the emphasis shifts. We are introduced to Hattie, a professional who has been trying to help Malik settle back into civilian life - and a team of FBI agents. Having realised what has happened, the authorities begin tracking him down, fearing - based on similar past cases - that Malik might kill the boys and then himself. Hattie doesn't believe this to be the case so is fighting the FBI for a more passive intervention within which everyone can survive.
As the journey continues, Malik’s behaviour becomes increasingly erratic and violent. He gets into a punch-up with a police officer and assaults an old man while searching for car keys following a blowout. The old man's sons - who lack the FBI's code of conduct - give chase, leading to further violence while the two lads are caught firmly in the middle. As Jay realises the truth, he becomes fiercely protective of his dad, though he remains initially largely powerless to intervene meaningfully.
The story becomes a question of survival. What will become of Malik and the boys - and who will reach them first - the officials or the armed locals? By this stage, everyone is prepared for a violent outcome. Throughout the chaos, Malik genuinely has his sons' interests at heart, clinging to his conviction of an alien invasion until the very end. Because we cannot 'see' the aliens, the theme reflects how society is often blind to the invisible struggles of mental illness.
Riz Ahmed’s performance is great. He plays the troubled soul convincingly, sweeping us along through his swings between a devoted father and a violent protector. The two boys are also excellent - particularly Lucian-River Chauhan as Jay, though Aditya Geddada also effectively conveys Bobby’s fear and incomprehension. Octavia Spencer (Hidden Figures, The Help) commands her scenes as Hattie, providing a grounded counterpoint as the film moves at pace from a character study into a police chase.
The cinematography is sweaty, claustrophobic and beautifully executed. While the storyline is ambitious and the tone intrusive, the constant buzzing and humming in the audio mimics Malik’s deteriorating mental state. Encounter is a thought-provoking, well-produced film that is well worth a look. It is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video in the UK.
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