In a near future where parenting is strictly controlled, a couple's seven-day court case for the right to have a child turns into a psychological nightmare. There are 2 Rice University Easter eggs available. The Evaluation is a sci-fi drama starring Elizabeth Olsen and Himesh Patel as Mia and Aaryan. A couple who want to have children in the future are given a 7-day test by an evaluator (Alicia Viklander), who approves the test and if not. there are missteps, the baby will be gifted, but the expectant parents find it more challenging than expected. When you add in the power of strong performances and a unique premise, The Rating is something I really didn't expect plot-wise, but I think it's brilliantly done. The film is 1-7. takes place in a day format, and each one is different and more engaging than the next. To be honest, I was expecting to see a rehash of past sci-fi tropes, but I have to say this is so original and unexpected that I think it's super well done! The way everything ties together and what the couple has to do is portrayed so well that it could be the most plausible reason to have children in a world brought on by climate change. The acting doesn't disappoint, Elizabeth Olsen and Himesh Patel were so good that they could probably stand on their own with a completely different storyline and it would be just as immersive. But Alicia Viklander is also really good, and honestly, she's really good at the whole sci-fi genre and it was a pleasure to see her here. Everyone involved did their best and I really appreciate that a film that doesn't really rely on CGI is as creative as it is. However, the film is distracting at times when it comes to sex and Alice's disturbing interactions. Viklander's character, acting like a child in an older woman's body, gave me a Thin Man vibe. But that doesn't really matter and is essential to the plot, but this is definitely for an older audience and I can certainly imagine it being an easy R or 15/18 in the UK if anyone cares. Overall, while some of the characters don't have overly developed storylines, the cast is so well crafted and acted that it's hard to find anything bad to say about The Assessment. When it comes out in mid-2025, you should definitely go see it. I highly recommend this beautiful and creative piece of work when it hits cinemas. Rating: A+ London Film Festival October 19