The decision to have children is among the biggest ones a couple ever makes. It’s the choice to turn a relationship into a family, to bring another conscious, living being into existence, and to rear that child into society where, ultimately they’ll be responsible for themselves.
READ MORE: ‘The Assessment’: Elizabeth Olsen & Himesh Patel Talk Moral Sci-Fi Dilemmas, Parenthood, Marvel Future, ‘The Odyssey’ & More [The Discourse Podcast]
But what if that choice wasn’t an open one, but instead something strictly regulated by the states? That’s the set-up for “The Assessment,” a near-future thriller starring Elizabeth Olsen, Himesh Patel, and Alicia Vikander. In it, a couple decides to undergo a week-long test to claim their right to have a child, but their endeavor quickly turns into something neither of them expected.
Here’s an official synopsis for “The Assessment,” courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios:
In the near future where parenthood is strictly controlled, a couple’s seven-day assessment for the right to have a child unravels into a psychological nightmare, forcing them to question the very foundations of their society and what it truly means to be human.
“The Assessment” also stars Minnie Driver, Indira Varma, Nicholas Pinnock, Charlotte Ritchie, and Leah Harvey.
Fleur Fortuné directs “The Assessment” from a script by Mrs. & Mrs. Thomas and John Donnelly. Producers on the film include Stephen Woolley, Elizabeth Karlsen, Shivani Rawat, Julie Goldstein, Jonas Katzenstein, Maximilian Leon, and Grant S. Johnson.
“The Assessment” had its world premiere at TIFF 2024 last September. The Playlist reviewed the film from the festival, awarding it a C+ rating (read the review here).
Watch the new trailer for “The Assessment” below. The film hits Prime Video on May 8.
