This $4 Million Sci-Fi Mystery Had Potential to Become the Next Black Mirror (But Failed Miserably)
A visually stunning sci-fi thriller that could've revolutionized psychological horror but sadly ended up being nothing more than a beautiful empty shell.
The second decade of the 21st century has blessed us with some of the most incredible cinematic sci-fi experiences ever. Think about the mind-bending Interstellar ( 2014), the emotional Arrival (2016) or the dark dystopian Ex Machina (2014). The bar for intelligent science fiction was set remarkably high.
But it couldn’t all be that good, right? Among these gems, there were bound to be some failures.
One particular disappointment stands out way more than others. With its promising premise and stunning aesthetics, a movie we're going to talk about today seemed poised to join the ranks of thought-provoking sci-fi hits. But something disastrously went wrong.
Trapped in Suburban Hell: What Went Wrong with Vivarium (2019)
On paper, Vivarium sounds like a guaranteed banger: a young couple's house-hunting adventure turns into a nightmare when they become trapped in an endless suburban maze of identical mint-green houses. No escape, just an increasingly unsettling situation that seems perfect for a psychological thriller.
Somehow, this fascinating premise crumbles under the weight of its own ambitions. And the box office never lies. It grossed just $487,625 with its $4 million budget.
The failure of Vivarium stems not from a lack of talent or resources, but from its inability to transform its compelling concept into an entertaining story. Where Black Mirror succeeds with combining social commentary with interesting storytelling, Vivarium gets lost in its own ideas.
And that’s exactly why it annoyed its viewers so much. As Redditor Kev_Bz wrote:
“Vivarium. Really annoying movie but beautiful images.”
Redditor broheimlich didn't shy away from telling exactly how they felt either, writing:
“I can't remember passionately hating a movie as much as I do Vivarium (2019). My fiancee and I just finished watching this movie about ten minutes ago and I can't stop thinking about how ugly, pessimistic and pointless this movie is. I kept waiting for some big reveal that would make the slog worth it, but unfortunately the ending was on par with what preceded it, just utter crap.”
Well, if there's anything to learn from Vivarium's misfire, it's that even the most visually striking production can't compensate for a hollow narrative.
The film is available on Apple TV+ for those curious enough to form their own opinions. But style without substance just makes us wonder what could've been, but never actually did.