Landscape with Invisible Hand (2023) – Review/ Summary (with Spoilers)

Film Summary

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In 2033, aliens known as Vuvv came to Earth and decimated the planet. Note: Not with weapons, snatching bodies, or the ways usually shown in alien invasion movies. Rather, they decimated the planet economically. By offering cheap and sustainable resources via their advanced technology, it isn’t made explicit what the unemployment level or poverty level becomes, but it makes even getting a job at a food truck a blessing and something you may have to wait months to hear back from.

Enter Adam, in 2036, a teen artist living in a world where human art has been downgraded to something seen as primitive, and thus the arts as a whole, literature as well, has been stripped of its value. In fact, the whole Earth education system is on the verge of becoming obsolete as the Vuvv, with their human partners, have reached a level of cultural imperialism that what it means to be human is slowly becoming what one can do to serve the Vuvv.

But, while many struggle, there is one thing the Vuvv can’t take from humanity – love. In fact, we learn from Chloe, a new kid who becomes Adam’s girlfriend, the Vuvv will directly pay humans to watch them in love. This much-needed income helps both Adam and Chloe’s families, who move in together thanks to Adam pushing his mom Beth to do so.

However, as their families fight, especially Chloe’s father, Mr. Marsh, with Beth, and Hunter mouths off like an entitled brat, this strains Chloe and Adam’s relationship to the point they are faking it to try to maintain the appearance of being in love. But, with what allows them to broadcast their feelings, includes their biological response to one another, so the farce is quickly found out, and Adam gets sued. Thus leading to a series of odd events to keep multiple generations of his family from being indebted to the Vuvv and avoiding the possibility of prison.

What Is Landscape with Invisible Hand Rated And Why?

Landscape with Invisible Hand is Rated (Rated R) and contains:

• Dialog: Cursing
• Violence: Depiction of suicide and blood
• Sexual Content: None
• Miscellaneous: Drinking

Character Descriptions

Please Note: This character guide is not an exhaustive list of every cast member, and character descriptions may contain what can be considered spoilers.

Adam (Asante Blackk)

A high school-aged artist, Adam has painted with acrylic paint for years and has made many pieces that hang within his home. However, his art is currently just a means of expression, with no talk about pursuing a career in art.

• The actor is also known for their role in “Live In Front of a Studio Audience: ‘All In The Family’ and ‘Good Times.’”

Chloe (Kylie Rogers)

Homeless after the Vuvv invasion wiped out her neighborhood, Chloe is just trying to focus on survival, but Adam makes a nice reprieve from her hustle.

Beth (Tiffany Haddish)

Before the invasion, Beth was a lawyer, top of her class. Now? She has been waiting for months for a position to sell soup from a food truck.

• The actor is also known for their role in “Girls Trip,” their role in “Nobody’s Fool,” and their role in “Night School.”

Mr. Marsh (Josh Hamilton)

At one time, Mr. Marsh was an accountant with pride and the feeling of a patriarch. Now he suffers a bruised ego since his daughter is the one who found them a home, makes money for the family off her relationship, and he has to contend with living in a basement with minimal rights.

• The actor is also known for their role in “Reality” and “Accused.”

Hunter (Michael Gandolfini)

Hunter is angry at the world for his lack of privilege, despite the life he could have had before the Vuvv showed up.

Mr. Campbell (William Jackson Harper)

Mr. Campbell worked in real estate and has the opportunity to be a sub-contractor for the Vuvv. However, with not liking the deal, he rejected them, and so began his downfall. One which led him to want to go to where the Vuvv haven’t decimated the local economy to make money, but since heading out west, specifically

• The actor is also known for their role in “The Resort: Season 1,” their role in “How To Tell You’re a Douchebag,” and their role in “Love Life.”

Review

Our Rating: Mixed (Divisive)

Who Is This For?

Those who like weird sci-fi movies.

Highlights

One Of The Best Tiffany Haddish Performances In A While

While Tiffany Haddish maintains some sense of herself in the film, seeing a more serious side to her is refreshing. For when not playing up her character for laughs, you get what feels like a compelling performance. I’d take note, in particular, her appealing to the Vuvv trying to sue her son. Now, the moment won’t win her any accolades. Still, it does push you to recognize that, like many a comedian, Haddish has the potential for more dramatic performances. As her shtick becomes old, which it honestly has, there are new worlds to explore in which she can be a welcomed presence.

When The Focus Is On Chloe and Adam, The Film Is Engaging

From the beginning to the middle of the film, it is all about young love in the time of an alien invasion. During that, you will love Blackk and Rogers’ chemistry. It’s the type that could give you butterflies, think of your high school crush, and could have been an excellent driving force in the movie.

However, then their families start fighting, and Chloe just pops in every now and again to remind you she still exists.

Low Points

The Arrival And Quick Disappearance Of Adam’s Dad

Adam’s dad, Mr. Campbell, abandoned his family when he refused to work for the Vuvv in an underpaid capacity. Before the film gets going, he is gone, assumingly in California, and he returns in the middle of the film. It isn’t for long, and with that comes the problem. Adam doesn’t open up to anyone, especially after his and Chloe’s relationship turns sour. So as much as you can see his dad showing up in the middle of the night, and leaving abruptly, as yet another disappointment in Adam’s life, it also seems like a sorely missed opportunity for his character and Beth’s and Adam’s sister.

Why? Well, because Mr. Campbell has left such a notable effect on everyone. For Adam’s sister, he created abandonment issues. Beth? She doesn’t, if ever, speak on him, and to see them fight, potentially reconcile, especially considering what Adam was going through with the Vuvv? That could have been a sight to see. Yet, instead, he fulfills his family’s assumption of him being a deadbeat who left them behind, unwilling to tough it out with them.

On The Fence

Halfway Through The Movie, The Hook Is Gone, And You Begin Checking To See When This Should Be Over

What breaks the film is when a Vuvv begins to live with Beth and her family. At this point, Adam and Chloe are over, and the film lacks any real hook to keep you interested. For we’re past seeing people get adjusted to the Vuvv, the Vuvv themselves don’t present any sort of interesting culture, mannerisms, or have any individual stand out.

All you get is Adam and Beth’s struggles with his debt and survival, and then when you add Hunter and Mr. Marsh b****ing and moaning because they have to follow Beth’s rules? There is very little to get excited or interested in. Especially as talk of privilege becomes a bigger and bigger thing as the Marsh and Campbells increasingly butt heads.

And as for the world outside of Adam and Beth’s troubles? You don’t get to see or further your understanding of what happened to humanity’s governments. We’re told there was some desire for war, but it seems business leaders squashed that? It’s hard to say, and as much as you could see this as a push to read the source material, I wouldn’t say the film makes for the best advertisement.

Recommendations

If you like this movie, we recommend:

1. Sorry To Bother You
2. Chappie

Check out our movies page for our latest movie reviews and recommendations.

FAQs

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