Watch the Skies

In a cinematic landscape increasingly saturated with franchise blockbusters and big-budget remakes, it's refreshing to see a film like Watch The Skies emerge from nowhere, bringing with it not only a sense of wonder and mystery, but also a sincere story rooted in both nostalgia and innovation. Directed by Victor Danell as part of the Crazy Pictures collective, this Swedish adventure sci-fi film (originally released as UFO Sweden in 2022) is a breath of fresh air for fans of the genre, perfectly blending the childlike curiosity of Spielberg classics with a distinctly European sensibility. The film's journey in the United States is a story worth mentioning in itself, as it uses cutting-edge AI-based dubbing technology called TrueSync, which meticulously synchronizes the actors' lip movements with newly recorded English dialogue. While the use of AI in cinema is a subject of considerable debate, it is difficult to deny the effectiveness of this technique in this particular case: most viewers unfamiliar with the original film would probably not suspect that it has been dubbed. This innovation may not appeal to purists who prefer subtitles, but it undeniably opens the door to a wider audience for international cinema, which is an appealing idea in itself.

At the heart of Watch The Skies is the character of Denise, played with an impressive blend of vulnerability and determination by Inez Dahl Torhaug. Denise's story is marked by loss and desire: a young girl abandoned by her father in mysterious circumstances, she becomes a rebellious teenager who grows up in foster homes, clinging to the unshakeable belief that her father was abducted by extraterrestrial forces. The film's plot kicks off when her father's car, believed to have disappeared with him, suddenly crashes through the roof of a barn years later, blasting Alphaville's Forever Young from its old cassette player, as if it were still 1988. This strange event reignites Denise's quest for answers, leading her to join UFO Sweden, a motley crew of conspiracy theorists and UFO enthusiasts, each with their own eccentricities and beliefs. At first, the group's outdated methods and lack of clear direction seem laughable, but Denise's passion quickly reignites their collective motivation, setting off a series of events that challenge everything they think they know about extraterrestrial phenomena.

What really sets Watch The Skies apart is its ability to balance emotional moments between characters with intense, well-executed action sequences. One memorable scene shows the group attempting to recover a UFO submerged at the bottom of a lake using a makeshift magnetic device. It's a moment that perfectly encapsulates the film's charm: a blend of grassroots ingenuity, tense anticipation, and the raw wonder of discovering the unknown. The film's special effects have a practical, hands-on feel reminiscent of the pre-CGI era, adding a tactile realism that makes these moments even more captivating. Director Victor Danell knows how to build suspense without sacrificing character development, creating scenes where the stakes feel genuinely personal rather than purely cosmic. At the heart of the film is the relationship between Denise and Lennart (Jesper Barkselius), an old friend of her father's and a former physicist whose involvement in the initial investigation cost him his career. Their dynamic is complex and fascinating, rooted in shared loss and cautious optimism. As they delve deeper into the mystery, it becomes clear that their quest is as much about healing old wounds as it is about finding answers.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Watch The Skies is the way it addresses the ethical implications of using AI technology, both in its narrative and in its production. While the use of AI for voice acting could be seen as a slippery slope toward artistic compromise, the film itself makes a compelling case for accessibility and the preservation of original performances. By retaining the actors' voices while adjusting their lip movements, the film manages to create a sense of authenticity that avoids the often jarring dissonance typical of traditional dubbing. This approach echoes the quest for truth and perception that drives the story: to what extent is what we see shaped by our willingness to believe it? This meta-narrative adds an unexpected dimension that invites viewers to question their own preconceptions about authenticity and storytelling.

As the plot unfolds, the line between science fiction and reality blurs, particularly when Denise and the UFO Sweden team uncover a conspiracy involving the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI), which appears to be hiding something far more sinister than mere weather phenomena. The story skillfully blends small-town mystery elements with grand science fiction concepts, presenting a world where everyday life and extraordinary phenomena coexist, often uncomfortably. The cinematography reflects this dichotomy, contrasting the warm glow of human relationships with the cold, sterile tones of scientific investigation. Denise's journey is not only about discovering the truth about her father, but also about accepting the past and forging a new identity in the face of uncertainty.

Watch The Skies transcends the conventions of its genre to become a unique and moving work. It is a film that dares to ask what happens to those who are left behind when the quest for the unknown becomes an obsession. In its final act, the film delivers a poignant plea for the power of community and human connection, suggesting that sometimes the answers we seek matter less than the relationships we build along the way. The moving and visually striking climax leaves audiences not only wondering about the nature of extraterrestrial life, but also reflecting on their own place in the universe.

With its captivating characters, thoughtful storytelling, and visually stunning scenes, Watch The Skies stands out as a love letter to classic science fiction while confidently forging its own identity. It's a film that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll, reminding us of the timeless appeal of stories that blend the fantastical with the deeply human. In an era dominated by sequels and cinematic universes, this Swedish gem dares to stand out, proving that even in the vastness of science fiction, there is always room for heart and soul.

Watch The Skies
Directed by Victor Danell (as Crazy Pictures)
Produced by Crazy Pictures
Written by Jimmy Nivrén Olsson, Victor Danell (as Crazy Pictures)
Starring Inez Dahl Torhaug, Jesper Barkselius, Sara Shirpey, Eva Melander, Håkan Ehn, Isabelle Kyed, Mathias Lithner, Niklas Kvarnbo Jönsson
Music by Oskar Sollenberg, Gustaf Spetz
Cinematography: Hannes Krantz
Edited by Victor Danell (as Crazy Pictures), Fredrik Morheden
Production companies: Crazy Pictures, Film i Väst, SF Studios, Sveriges Television (SVT)
Distributed by Falling Forward Films (United States), Wild Bunch (France)
Release date: May 24, 2023 (France), May 9, 2025 (United States)
Running time: 116 minutes

Seen on May 4, 2025 (press screener)

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