Watch Embryo

Embryo is a 1976 science fiction movie that follows the story of a young scientist named Paul Holliston, played by Rock Hudson, who discovers a way to accelerate the growth process of a fetus. His longtime girlfriend, Dr. Leslie S. Borden, played by Diane Ladd, is a fellow scientist who initially questioned Paul's work, but eventually becomes his partner in a groundbreaking experiment. When the wealthy and beautiful heiress, Victoria Spencer, comes into the picture, the experiment takes a drastic turn, leading to unforeseen consequences.

The movie begins with Paul and Leslie conducting their research on a fetus in the laboratory, where they successfully accelerate its growth process. To test their discovery, they need a volunteer, and Victoria Spencer, played by Barbara Carrera, is the perfect candidate. Victoria is eager to have a child but has been unable to find a suitable father, let alone a husband. She sees Paul as the perfect match, and they soon embark on a romantic relationship.

As Paul and Leslie continue their experiments on Victoria, they soon discover that the fetus is developing beyond their expectations, with its mental and physical abilities increasing at an alarming rate. As a result, Victoria's pregnancy results in a highly intelligent and capable child, who rapidly develops into an adult within days.

As the child's abilities continue to grow, it becomes increasingly aware of its surroundings and is soon able to manipulate people and situations to its will. This leads to a chain of events that put all three protagonists in danger, and they must take drastic measures to ensure their own safety.

Embryo is undoubtedly one of the most controversial movies to be made in the 1970s. The movie explores various themes, including ethics in science, genetic manipulation, and the implications of playing God. The film examines the potential benefits and consequences of accelerating the growth process and manipulating human traits, questioning whether such advances in medicine are truly in humanity's best interests or merely a human folly.

What makes Embryo stand out is its exploration of the question of what truly makes us human. Through the character of the child, the film presents a thought-provoking argument about the importance of human experience, emotion, and empathy. While the child may be highly intelligent, it also lacks human experiences and emotions, making it feel like something is missing. This raises critical questions about the very essence of humanity, such as whether intelligence truly defines humanity or whether there's more to being human than our cognitive ability.

Another aspect of the movie that stands out is the acting from the three main characters. Rock Hudson delivers a compelling performance as the ambitious scientist, Paul Holliston. Hudson portrays Paul as a brilliant and driven man, but one who is also willing to cross ethical boundaries in pursuit of his goals. Diane Ladd's character, Dr. Leslie Borden, serves as a moral compass in the movie, representing the audience's perspective on the ethical implications of the experiments. Barbara Carrera brings a haunting performance as the mother of the child, embodying the character's feelings of isolation and vulnerability.

In summary, Embryo is a thought-provoking and controversial movie that explores questions about the nature of humanity, ethics in science, and the implications of playing God. The acting performances from the three leads are impressive, and the movie's themes will leave viewers thinking long after the credits roll. While the movie may not be for everyone, it remains a classic of its time, and its themes are still relevant today.

Embryo is a 1976 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.1.