Watch Bliss

Bliss, a 2021 movie directed by Mike Cahill, is a sci-fi drama that explores the subjective nature of reality, mental health and addiction. The movie stars Owen Wilson as Greg, a divorced man who is having trouble coming to terms with his recent separation from his wife and his current job as a technical support employee for a company that produces virtual reality simulations. Salma Hayek plays Isabel, a mysterious woman who claims to be able to see past the fabric of reality and who introduces Greg to a new vision of existence. Nesta Cooper plays Emily, Greg's daughter who is worried about her dad.

The movie begins with Greg being fired from his job and his subsequent descent into a self-destructive spiral. He goes to a bar to drink himself to oblivion and meets Isabel, who seems to know more about him than he can explain. Isabel shows Greg a new world that is unlike anything he has ever seen before, where everything is beautiful and perfect, and the inhabitants are all happy and free. She claims that this is the real world, and the life he has been leading so far is just an illusion.

As the movie progresses, the line between the real world and the illusion starts to blur, and Greg is not sure what to believe anymore. Isabel offers him a blue crystal that she claims can take him to the real world, but it is addictive and needs to be used sparingly. Greg starts to experience strange sensations, and his interactions with his daughter and ex-wife become increasingly strained. There also are references to AI simulations and questions posed as to what is reality.

One of the most interesting aspects of the movie is the way in which it plays with the audience's perception of reality. Throughout the film, Cahill uses clever visual and auditory cues to suggest that there may be more going on than meets the eye. There are moments when the texture of the screen changes, or when the sound seems to be coming from multiple directions at once. These cues are subtle enough that they never fully give the game away, but they are enough to keep the audience on edge, wondering what is really happening.

Bliss is an ambitious movie that tackles some weighty themes, such as the nature of reality, the importance of human connection and the struggle to find meaning in life. The script is thoughtful and well-written, and Wilson and Hayek both give excellent performances. Cooper is also impressive in her role as Emily, the only stable point in Greg's spiraling existence.

While the film's narrative can be challenging to follow, it remains endlessly fascinating as it explores the line between illusion and reality, and whether an ultimately doomed search for a blissful state is worth losing touch with the real world. At times, the film can be a bit heavy-handed in its explorations of mental health and addiction, but it is never less than sincere in its intent. The themes it explores are complex and relevant, and the movie will likely provoke thought and discussion for those who see it.

Overall, Bliss is a sci-fi drama that will appeal to fans of movies that explore the philosophical and ethical implications of technology and human existence. It is a thought-provoking film that makes excellent use of its talented cast and striking visuals to create a haunting and emotionally resonant cinematic experience.

Bliss is a 2021 science fiction movie. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.4 and a MetaScore of 40.