Jérémy Clapin makes his feature live action debut in Meanwhile on Earth in another genre bending film combining sci-fi and psychological drama to explore grief and trauma. The beautifully shot film is anchored by an incredible performance from Megan Northam at its center. While the film has some deeply moving elements, the emotional impact isn’t always convincing. 

Meanwhile on Earth is a borderline horror film set within a sci-fi and psychological drama as it explores the impact unresolved grief and trauma can have on someone. Elsa (Megan Northam) begins to hear her brother, Franck (Sébastien Pouderoux), years after she lost him traveling space. This strange phenomenon leads Elsa to an intense, dangerous mission to get her brother back. Writer/director Jérémy Clapin uses this adventure to explore how grief can pivot one’s plans in life and what they’ll put at stake for a loved one. However, Meanwhile on Earth is more of an exploration of grief itself versus the actual space exploration for her brother. This makes for an effective emotional film at times, but the pivots into subplots hinder the film’s emotional impact from entirely landing. 

Elsa is visited by an invisible alien and gifted an earpiece that will make it easier to hear these voices and communicate with those in space, including her lost brother. The invisibleness of this entity combined with the tone of the script and framing of everything Elsa does with Clapin’s direction leads the audience to wonder if Elsa is making this all up to deal with her grief or if she is truly connecting with an alien species. When she begins to essentially make human sacrifices to these alien creatures, the ambiguity becomes confusing, and the various plots become too elaborate within the overall themes. 

When Meanwhile on Earth is a more intimate film, it is deeply moving as it explores the trauma of unresolved grief as one figures themselves out. We watch as Elsa struggles with identity and how not only her brother was tied to her sense of self but space and what it stands for as well. Elsa is deeply tragic, and Northam’s performance is grounded in both reality and the heightened drama surrounding her character’s extreme existential crisis. Elsa is navigating finding answers for her brother and his disappearance while navigating the questionable option of if other life is worth less than your loved ones. It’s a complicated theme within the film and Northam’s commitment to Elsa allows us to see her through compassionate eyes. Without actual answers on what happened to her brother and what she is actually experiencing, Elsa is grappling with a real loss and Northam’s performance makes it impossible to not connect with her. 

Meanwhile on Earth is able to convey so much sense of exploration not in space but within one’s mind and soul through its beautiful imagery alongside Northam’s moving performance. While the visual effects and story may leave some to be desired, the visuals are breathtaking and only heightened by the dreamy, otherworldly score from Dan Levy. 

The simmering despair and loneliness conveyed in Meanwhile on Earth is palpable through the stunning visuals, haunting score, and moving performances. Clapin makes his feature live action debut in Meanwhile on Earth in another genre bending film combining sci-fi and psychological drama to explore grief and trauma. The beautifully shot film is anchored by an incredible performance from Northam at its center. While the film has some deeply moving elements, the emotional impact isn’t always convincing. 

Grade: B-

Oscars Prospects:
Likely: None
Should be Considered: Best Sound

Release Date: November 8, 2024
Where to Watch: In Select Theaters