Descendent

While the film effectively conjures and then nurtures the mystery surrounding our protagonist, Sean's, fragile mental state through solid technicalities and competent performances, it seems the creators overlooked the importance of incorporating strong emotional depth into the script.

This emotional availability would have been beneficial to 'develop' and 'utilise' the underlying sentiments pertaining human psyche, resting deep beneath the surface.

Stumbling upon the 2025 movie "Descendent" by random chance, and it being a movie that I had never actually heard about, of course I opted to sit down and watch it.

Writer Peter Cilella, whom also directed the movie, put together a script that was more of a psychological drama of a man's descent into madness, than it was a movie about alien abductions. So I was a bit disappointed, to say the least. The pacing of the narrative was sluggish, and that combined with the general lack of alien contents was the reason why my interest in the movie was struggling to remain.

Ross Marquand was actually the only familiar face on the cast list for me. The acting performances in the movie were certainly good, and Ross Marquand does an excellent job of portraying Sean's descend into madness and delusion.

The movie is not one that makes use of a whole lot of special effects. But then again, it didn't really need special effects to deliver the narrative.

Now, if you sit down to watch "Descendent" hoping it is a movie that wholesomely delves into the concept of alien abductions, then chances are that you will be sorely disappointed with the movie, much like I was. But if you sit down to watch it as a psychological drama about a man's slow and steady descent into madness, then you're in for quite a treat.

My rating of writer and director Peter Cilella's 2025 movie "Descendent" lands on a generous four out of ten stars.

I liked this movie, but I understand where some haters are coming from- there are some large and small things that aren't very compelling.

The story follows this regular schmegular soon-to-be dad into his descent into madness... because of an alien abduction. My kind of movie.

Obviously his relationship suffers, he begins having strange experiences, his mental health deteriorates, and his sole focus is to keep his head above water and figure out what's going on. Does any of this happen? Is any of this real? Kind of!

I like the psychological aspect of it. He has these strange experiences and feelings and must navigate them. After the experience he acquired some cool abilities that allowed the viewer to understand him deeply. It was really these moments that enriched the story.

It was the lack of communication with his wife (and most people) and an incomplete backstory with the characters that made this story feel cheap. Even the end was abrupt and I didn't feel like his friend all said and done. I would've liked that.

The movie seems promising, it is about a man abducted from aliens, but doesn't develop itself well!

It keeps showing the protagonist visions/dreams, it is like going in a circle, it repeats itself, and doesn't add up anything new and that can really make you get some discovery!

It is just a shame, because there was potential, it seemed interesting, and it seemed to go in some direction at a certain point that could have been interesting...

Sometimes horror doesn't need to come at you with claws and fangs-it just needs to crawl under your skin and set up camp. Descendent is exactly that kind of movie: unnerving, cerebral, and quietly relentless. The filmmakers-who've already proven they know how to twist a genre inside out-once again deliver something that feels fresh, risky, and memorable.

At its core, Descendent isn't just an alien film; it's a slow-burn psychological spiral dressed up in eerie sci-fi clothing. Instead of cheap jump scares, the directors lean into atmosphere and dread, pulling the audience into Sean's fractured reality. That choice pays off in spades-watching his unraveling is more chilling than any monster reveal could ever be. It's the kind of horror that doesn't just make you flinch; it lingers like static in the back of your mind.

The movie also has a lot on its mind, and it's not shy about showing it. It takes aim at gender roles, toxic masculinity, and the fragility of identity, wrapping those themes inside an abduction framework. Somehow, that balancing act works. Rather than spoon-feeding the audience, the writers let the metaphors breathe, making Descendent less about "what's happening" and more about "what it means." That's where the real unease sets in-when you realize the horror isn't just external, it's internal.

Now, let's be honest: the film isn't perfect. Its psychological lean sometimes overshadows the more traditional sci-fi elements, and there are places where you wish certain characters got more space to shine. But even in those moments, you can see the intent, and that ambition is what makes it compelling. This isn't a movie interested in playing it safe. It's swinging for something bigger, and most of those swings connect.

Performance-wise, the cast does heavy lifting. The lead actor brings just the right blend of paranoia and vulnerability, making Sean feel like someone you could know, which makes watching his collapse all the more uncomfortable. The supporting players hold their own too, grounding the stranger elements of the story with sharp, believable emotion. The directors also deserve serious credit for keeping the film visually tight-bleak, moody, and just disorienting enough to keep you on edge.

What impressed me most, though, is how this film fits into the larger body of work from these writers and directors. They've carved out a space where horror isn't just about scares-it's about reflection. They have a knack for finding the overlap between terror and truth, and Descendent continues that trend beautifully. It's the kind of film that reminds you why this subgenre is so exciting right now.

In short: Descendent may leave a few threads dangling, but that's part of its charm. It's bold, unnerving, and refuses to hold your hand. Fans of smart, atmospheric horror will find plenty to chew on here-and probably a few sleepless nights, too.