The Assessment
| The Assessment | |
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 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Fleur Fortuné |
| Screenplay by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Magnus Nordenhof Jønck |
| Edited by | Yorgos Lamprinos |
| Music by | Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by |
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Release dates |
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Running time | 114 minutes |
| Countries |
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| Language | English |
| Budget | $8 million |
| Box office | $249,805[1][2] |
The Assessment is a 2024 science fiction thriller film written by Dave Thomas, Nell Garfath-Cox and John Donnelly and directed by Fleur Fortuné in her feature length debut. The film stars Elizabeth Olsen, Alicia Vikander, Himesh Patel, Indira Varma, Nicholas Pinnock, Charlotte Ritchie, Leah Harvey, and Minnie Driver. It is produced by Stephen Woolley, Elizabeth Karlsen and Grant S. Johnson with Number 9 Films, augenschein Filmproduktion, ShivHans Pictures, and Project Infinity.[3]
The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2024, and was released in the United States on March 21, 2025, by Magnolia Pictures.
Synopsis
[edit]In the near future, prospective parents must pass an initial test in order to prove their suitability for parenthood, and then endure a seven-day live-in visit from a facilitator known as the assessor who will put them through the wringer in all kinds of imaginable and unimaginable situations where, at the end, they will either get a passing grade – or not. Mia and Aaryan are assigned an assessor named Virginia, and as they begin the uncomfortable tests, their relationship begins to crumble.[4][5]
Cast
[edit]- Elizabeth Olsen as Mia
- Alicia Vikander as Virginia
- Himesh Patel as Aaryan
- Minnie Driver as Evie
- Indira Varma as Ambika
- Nicholas Pinnock as Walter
- Charlotte Ritchie as Serena
- Leah Harvey as Holly
- Anaya Thorley as Amelia
- Benny O. Arthur as Ash
- Malaya Stern Takeda as Catherine
Production
[edit]The Assessment was written by Mrs & Mr Thomas (Nell Garfath-Cox and Dave Thomas) and John Donnelly. It was directed by Fleur Fortuné in her feature length debut. It is produced by Stephen Woolley and Elizabeth Karlsen with Augenschein Filmproduktion and Number 9 Films.[3][6]
Filming was expected to commence in Cologne, Germany in July 2023.[7] In August 2023, location shooting took place in Tenerife.[8][9][10] In February 2024, Deadline Hollywood reported that the film was in post-production.[11]
Release
[edit]The Assessment had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2024.[12][13] That month, Amazon Prime Video bought the international rights outside Germany for the film.[14] The film was released in the United States on March 21, 2025.[6]
Reception
[edit]On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 86% of 49 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7/10. The website's consensus reads: "A stimulating sci-fi that invests its high concept into ideas rather than special effects, The Assessment puts a trio of superb performances under a microscope an invited the audience to join in the scrutiny."[15]
Vikander was nominated for Best Lead Performance at the British Independent Film Awards in November 2024.[16] The film was also nominated for Best Debut Screenwriter and Jan Houllevigue for Best Production Design, winning the latter.
References
[edit]- ^ "The Assessment - Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
- ^ "The Assessment". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
- ^ a b Tizard, Will (2 July 2023). "Alicia Vikander Says Her Role in Sci-Fi Thriller 'The Assessment' Is 'Pretty Wild,' and 'Scares' Her". Variety. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
- ^ "The Assessment". TIFF. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
- ^ Saito, Stephen (13 September 2024). "'The Assessment' Review: Alicia Vikander and Elizabeth Olsen Test Each Other in a Smart, Stripped Down Sci-Fi Parable About Parenting". Variety. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
- ^ a b Grobar, Matt (26 February 2025). "Magnolia Pictures Acquires Sci-Fi Thriller 'The Assessment' Starring Alicia Vikander, Elizabeth Olsen & Himesh Patel". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
- ^ "The Assessment". Production List. 3 July 2023. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
- ^ "FILM TENERIFE CINEMA Arico receives Elizabeth Olsen and Alicia Vikander for a new film shoot". Tenerife Weekly. 12 August 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
- ^ Anne, Kenzie (22 August 2023). "Elizabeth Olsen Spotted on Set of 'The Assessment' in Tenerife, Spain". Maxblizz.com. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
- ^ "Arico receives Elizabeth Olsen and Alicia Vikander for a new film shoot". eldia.es. 11 August 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
- ^ Wiseman, Andreas (15 February 2024). "German Production & Sales Outfit Augenschein Sells Minority Stake To Erfttal Film As Company Ramps Up Slate". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ "The Assessment". Toronto International Film Festival. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ Kay, Jeremy (18 June 2024). "Toronto film festival world premieres to include 'Nightbitch', Elton John doc, 'The Wild Robot'". Screen Daily. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ Wiseman, Andreas (5 September 2024). "Amazon Takes International On Alicia Vikander & Elizabeth Olsen TIFF Sci-Fi 'The Assessment'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ "The Assessment". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
- ^ Ntim, Zac (5 November 2024). "British Independent Film Awards: 'Kneecap' Leads Nominations". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
