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Unidentified Objects: Beautifully Told Sci-Fi Drama Has Depth [Fantastic Fest]
It isn't always easy to capture a person's interiority, especially when it comes to one's perception of themselves and the complicated feelings that come with it. Unidentified Objects does just that in a thoughtful, jarring, and intimate way. Directed by Juan Felipe Zuleta from a screenplay by Leland Frankel, Unidentified Objects is a startling, beautiful film that explores self-image, perception, and feeling like an outcast in a society that is quick to sideline instead of understand. Anchored by lovely performances by Matthew Jeffers and Sarah Hay, the film, with its misleading title, is one that is well worth the watch.
Peter (Matthew Jeffers), a recluse gay man with dwarfism, is in a lot of medical debt, physical and emotional pain, and harbors a lot of anger at the world. When his neighbor, Winona (Sarah Hay), asks to borrow Peter's car to drive to a remote area in Canada claiming she's being picked up by aliens from the Andromeda Galaxy, Peter is hesitant and frustrated she would even ask for such an egregious favor. With the promise of payment and curiosity leading the way, Peter agrees to let Winona drive the car to Canada on one condition: Peter goes with her. Together they embark on a journey that will solidify their friendship, despite starting off on the wrong foot, and transform Peter as he grapples with himself, his guilt, anger, and view of the world.
Unidentified Objects is a road trip drama that is exemplary in its handling of its themes. Peter doesn't believe Winona is telling the truth about being chosen by aliens, but as events unfold, the idea of there being extraterrestrial life pairs with the exploration of Peter's life and his feeling like an outcast. In one particularly harrowing scene, Peter is told to get out of the car and interrogated by a cop — or so it seems. The film occasionally blurs the line between reality and dreams to great effect, bringing Peter's past and emotions to the forefront, and forcing him to confront them rather than hide from them as he's done for so long. Unidentified Objects is patient in exploring Peter's inner life, the turmoil and grief he feels, as well as the anger and, eventually, the wonder at the world by the end. While the film sets up a wild premise about aliens, it isn't interested in focusing on the unknown. Rather, Zuleta and Frankel use the possible existence of aliens as a jumping off point to engage with Peter's humanity.
Identity plays a crucial role in Unidentified Objects, which showcases not only how Peter perceives himself, but how he views others and vice versa. It also grapples with sexuality and guilt with sensitivity and thoughtfulness. Of course, the film wouldn't be so poignant and deep if not for the outstanding performance of Matthew Jeffers. The actor, through emotive eyes, expressions, inflection, and body language, masterfully conveys Peter's emotions. There is so much to this man and it's bottled up so deep that, for some time, it feels like Peter will never open up. However, Jeffers is able to shift between Peter's snappy temper and his vulnerability quite well, showing the audience how multifaceted the character truly is. Sarah Hay is also fantastic, imbuing Winona with childlike wonder, sensitivity, and gumption. Like Peter, Winona isn't only what people see on the surface and Hay portrays her dimensions wonderfully.
All that said, Unidentified Objects doesn't give Winona as much characterization and interiority as Peter. She has less to do and is more so a companion on his own personal journey than anything. While the actors have great chemistry together, the story could have explored Winona further. What's more, the film does slow down at the halfway point before it picks back up again, almost as though it was starting to run a bit out of road before it finds its way back. To be sure, these things don't take away from the film's quality. It's compelling and intriguing, centering two people who wouldn't have been friends at all had they not taken an unexpected road trip together. With nuanced performances and a thoughtful exploration of self, Unidentified Objects is worth the watch.
Unidentified Objects had its premiere in September at Fantastic Fest 2022. The film is 100 minutes long and is not rated.
