Foe

Foe has built a real following in Australia on Amazon Prime Video, and in the US on Amazon Prime Video among viewers who want their sci-fi to think as hard as it looks. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. A 6/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Paul Mescal's performance is the anchor the more ambitious scenes need. Available now on Amazon Prime Video — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, Foe earns its spot. What makes Foe work is that the ideas never crowd out the people having them. Henrietta and Junior farm a secluded piece of land that has been in Junior's family for generations, but their quiet life is thrown into turmoil when an uninvited stranger shows up at their door with a startling proposal. Will they risk their relationship & personal identity for a chance to survive in a new world? Paul Mescal and Saoirse Ronan lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2023. The rules of Foe's world are consistent enough that the big swings never feel like cheating. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

Viewers burned by ambitious sci-fi that could not sustain its premise should give Foe a chance. It rewards viewers regardless of what else is in their watch history. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. Paul Mescal anchors it with a performance that makes the more abstract moments feel personal. If you have been burned by ambitious sci-fi before, this is the exception.