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‘Users’ Review: A Pensive, Tech-Wary Doc Where the Pictures Say More Than the Words

Stunning imagery but stunted philosophy mean this beautiful but meandering doc yields less than meets the eye.

By Jessica Kiang

Jessica Kiang

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We’ve all been alone inside our heads a lot recently, and the question “why am I having weird dreams” has reportedly surged as a Google search over the past year. Natalia Almada ‘s “ Users ,” which won the directing award for U.S. Documentary in Sundance , is perhaps best appreciated as one of those peculiarly vivid dreams. Like them, it is made of uncanny imagery and strange echoey mood. But also like them, it comes apart under the scrutiny of the more logical, waking mind, and dissipates quickly in daylight.

In the beginning there’s a baby, being rocked in a mechanical crib. The baby is crying, then quiets, then falls asleep, and as this is an infant not yet capable of artifice or performance, it’s a fascinatingly unfakeable sequence to watch play out in real time. All the while a voice muses at us, apparently from a future far enough away that biological processes like breastfeeding and vaginal childbirth have passed out of the realm of living memory. The voice (Almada’s own), poised in an implacable monotone at exactly the balance point between incredulity, pity and envy, is talking of her distant, anthropological past, but it is our now .

That sci-fi concept is arresting, ambitiously placing the viewer in conspiracy with its project of looking at the present tense with future-perfect eyes, reflected in the futurist perfection of Bennett Cerf’s frequently astounding photography. The contours of landscapes and interiors are so sharp as to be surreal; the world made into an abstract concept by the hyper-clarity of its presentation, and by symmetries so unexpected they need to be perfectly still and smooth just to keep us from getting dizzy.

Whether they’re overheads, looking down from weather-balloon height, or the recurring motif of a child’s face (Almada’s son) caressed by the cold reflected colors of the screen in which he’s engrossed, the pictures remain in this startling, expansive register. But in her voiceover, Almada, who has made one fiction feature but mostly works in documentary form, shuffles through half-formed ideas too randomly to gather these scattered wonders into an identifiable thesis.

As well as the future-person, there are several other perspectives within the guiding monologue track. One, perhaps the closest avatar for Almada herself, is that of a new mother fretting about her role, and nature’s, in her child’s life. Will he love his programmed, coded childrearing devices more than he loves her? Will he “remember the taste of spring water?” Then yet another skein of thought is almost nostalgic about the very tech that causes anxiety elsewhere: the fiber-optic transoceanic cables that carry digital information back and forth across the globe are made to seem almost forlorn because “soon we will forget they’re even there.”

The film’s hypnotic rhythms can become soporific at times. It doesn’t help that so many of its spoken arguments are phrased as questions the speaker is uninterested in answering or further investigating. Indeed, much of the speech appears formulated to take advantage of the fact there can be no reply.

When she ponders, “Did Henry Ford know that his invention would one day remake the world?” over a shot of a highway bridge, it seems we ought to be struck anew by how very far we’ve come since the Model T. But if Almada’s attention immediately drifts away, yours might not, and when you think into that question, well, Ford wasn’t known for the modesty of his ambitions. It’s likely that his more expansive visions did include something like our modern highway reality, if not something worse — an interpretation inconvenient to the ministry of vaguely catastrophist technophobia that “Users” preaches.

Such diffuse, sometimes contradictory ideas sit at odds with the definitive clarity and beauty of the images, and also the scintillating, Sabatier edge of Dave Cerf’s glimmering soundscapes, including a score performed by the Kronos Quartet. If “Users” were a “Koyaanisqatsi”-type experiment or a Nikolaus Geyrhalter film, presented without verbal commentary, its exceptional technique might actually bring us to the opposite conclusion to the doomy one Almada loosely draws.

In a vertical farm, we frictionlessly ascend the endless stacks of seedling trays laid out beneath buzzing lights. Stunning, high-definition waves crest and break in the slowest of slow motion. And one almost literally breathtaking sequence winds us deep into a forest fire, into a landscape of livid earth and flaming branches, where the toxicity of the air would surely make raw human visitation impossible — the camera like a Mars rover, transmitting from a hostile environment. That these marvels can be created only through the intervention of RED cameras, precision-programmable drones, digitization and Dolby Atmos becomes, unexpectedly and unintentionally, an eloquent argument for embracing cutting-edge tech, whatever idle, dreamy unease it may inspire.

Reviewed in Sundance Film Festival (online), Berlin, Feb. 2, 2021. Running time: 81 MIN.

Production: (Documentary) An Altamura Films, Department of Motion Pictures production. (World sales: Film Constellation, London.) Producers: Josh Penn, Elizabeth Lodge Stepp, Natalia Almada. Co-producers: Daniela Alatorre Elivia Shaw. Executive Producers: Sean O’Grady, Bill Stertz, Charlotte Cook, Tony Hsieh, Roberto Grande, Mimi Pham, Kathryn Everett, Bryn Mooser, Noah Kadner, Rune Hansen, Mónica Reina.
Crew: Director, writer: Natalia Almada. Camera: Bennett Cerf. Editor: Natalia Almada. Music: Dave Cerf, Kronos Quartet.

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Best Sites For Rating Movies: 6 Top Movie Review Websites

Our society has grown to worship movies. This can be seen in the sheer number of movies made each year, some good and some bad. Because there are so many to choose from, finding a good one can be a challenge.

Movies now make up a huge part of the entertainment industry. But with so many choices comes the problem of finding the best ones to watch.

It would take hours upon hours to watch every movie made in a year, and even then you’d likely miss some great ones. So how can we solve this problem?

The answer reviews. Reviews allow us to get an idea of whether or not others liked the movie before we decide if it’s worth watching ourselves.

BEST SITES FOR RATING MOVIES

What are movie review sites.

Movie review sites like IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic, and Letterboxd are great places to find out what a movie is all about.

They can also be useful for finding out if your favorite actor has been in other movies you may have missed.

Movie review websites are one of the best ways to learn what critics think of a movie and how they feel about it.

The more information you can gather on a film, the better informed you’ll be when you decide whether to watch it or not.

Movie review sites don’t really have any effect on box office sales, but they can make a huge difference in determining what kind of an impact a movie will have on consumers.

A review helps us determine if others were entertained by a movie before we spend our time and money on it.

Picking a movie to watch can be hard. You have your mood to consider, the weather, and the amount of time you have available.

And who to see it with? But even after all that, one question remains — is it any good?

With sites like Letterboxd, the answer is now as easy as logging into your social media account.

The internet can be an overwhelming place when trying to find a good, reliable movie review site.

With so many sites out there, it’s hard to know which ones are actually worth your time.

With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of the best movie review sites out there. Not everyone will be for everyone, but each reviewer has something unique to offer that makes it worth checking out.

Best Sites For Rating Movies

If you love the cinema, and you’re constantly looking for the best ways to keep up to date with what’s new and what’s upcoming, then one of these sites is going to be perfect for you.

Below, we’ve gone through some of the most popular movie websites on the internet today and reviewed them, so that you can find out which site is best for your film needs.

Let’s start off with my personal favorite!

Letterboxd is a social network for sharing your taste in film. Keep a watchlist of films you’d like to see, and create lists/collections on any topic. Rate, review, and tag films as you add them. Find and follow friends to see what they’re enjoying.

Keep a diary of your film viewing, check in to films at theaters, and share your thoughts with the world. Search a database of over 2 million films, with filters that can refine your results by anything from decade and genre to personal ratings and reviews.

From Letterboxd themselves: “We’re proud of our place in a burgeoning ecosystem of film-related apps and websites that complement Letterboxd’s focus on social sharing, curation, and discovery.

In that spirit, we offer a range of developer tools to help integrate Letterboxd data into other applications and websites — you can explore these on our developer site.”

My Letterboxd profile can be found here, btw: FilmLifestyle’s Letterboxd profile . Give me a follow!

Originally a fan-operated website, the database is owned and operated by IMDb.com, Inc., a subsidiary of Amazon.

IMDb has approximately 4.7 million titles (including episodes) and 8.3 million personalities in its database, as well as 83 million registered users.

IMDb stands out for its vast collection of film and television information. It’s not just a place for ratings; it’s a comprehensive resource for release dates, cast and crew details, trivia, and forums for discussion.

With user-contributed content and professional critic reviews, IMDb offers a balanced view of a film’s reception. Its integration with Amazon also allows for easy viewing options.

FilmAffinity

FilmAffinity stands out as a unique movie rating site, offering a personalized experience to its users. This movie recommendations website was created in 2002 in Madrid, Spain, by the film critic Pablo Kurt Verdú Schumann and the programmer Daniel Nicolás.

It’s known for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive database. FilmAffinity allows users to rate movies and provides recommendations based on individual preferences. This feature sets it apart, as it tailors suggestions to match the user’s cinematic tastes.

The site also includes detailed information about films, including synopses, cast and crew details, and user reviews.

An important aspect of FilmAffinity is its international focus. It offers a broad range of films from different countries and in various languages, making it a favorite among global cinema enthusiasts.

Another notable feature is its ‘Soulmates’ function. This tool connects users with similar tastes, fostering a community of film lovers.

FilmAffinity is more than just a rating site; it’s a platform for discovering new films and connecting with a like-minded audience.

The Movie Database (TMDb)

The Movie Database (TMDb) is a popular choice for movie enthusiasts looking for an extensive and community-driven film database.

It’s known for its vast collection of film and television show information. TMDb stands out for its open-source model, where users contribute to the database by adding and editing content. This collaborative approach ensures that the information is up-to-date and diverse.

TMDb offers detailed film information, including plot summaries, cast and crew details, and high-quality images.

The site also provides user ratings, which helps viewers gauge the popularity and quality of films.

Its API integration is a significant feature, allowing developers to use its database for their websites and applications.

The site’s interface is clean and intuitive, making it easy to navigate and find information. TMDb also includes features like movie trailers, upcoming movie information, and box office statistics.

For users who appreciate being part of a community that actively contributes to building a comprehensive film resource, TMDb is an ideal choice.

For Critics

Here are the best sites for getting a lowdown on what critics thought of a movie.

Matt Crawford

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Great guide to the top sites for rating movies.

Thanks, Jaani.

I would like to receive the latest movies before selling them. Thanks

Can’t help you there, Jurugo.

There are many websites that offer movie reviews and ratings, but here are six of the top sites:

Rotten Tomatoes: Rotten Tomatoes is one of the most popular movie review websites. It aggregates reviews from both professional critics and regular movie-goers to provide an overall score for each film.

IMDb: IMDb is a comprehensive database of movies information that also includes user reviews and ratings. Its Top Rated Movies list is based on user ratings, and it’s a great place to find information about upcoming movies.

Metacritic: Like Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic aggregates reviews from critics, but it also assigns a weighted score to each review based on the critic’s track record. The site’s Metascore is often used as a shorthand for a movie’s critical reception.

Letterboxd: Letterboxd is a social media platform for movie lovers that allows users to rate and review films, create watchlists, and follow other users with similar tastes. Its recommendation algorithm is known for being particularly effective.

RogerEbert.com: Roger Ebert was one of the most respected film critics of his time, and his website continues to offer thoughtful and insightful reviews from a team of writers. The site also includes essays, interviews, and other film-related content.

Empire: Empire is a UK-based magazine that covers movies, TV shows, and video games. Its website includes reviews, news, and features, and its annual Empire Awards are highly respected within the industry.

Thanks for the contribution, Rizwan.

Amazing content, thanks for sharing

Thanks, Kelvin.

I think that Toy Story is worth watching than Star wares Where it doesn t have have the force

Fair enough, Joel.

Great content, thanks for sharing

Cheers, Jenny.

great content, thanks for sharing

In India idmb is the best website for movie review after all your content is very informative and best knowledge provides.

Thanks, Hemant.

I have updated my knowledge after reading the information given on your site, thank you so much for such an awesome article.

Thank you for sharing such an informative and well-structured post on movie rating sites. The content was organized in a way that made it easy to navigate and find specific information.

Thanks, Soumen.

Toy Story, in my opinion, is more entertaining to watch than Star Wars because it lacks the force.

I see what you did there!

Great article on movie rating sites!

Thanks, rizwan

Brilliant article

These movie review websites are a lifesaver when it comes to choosing what to watch. Thanks for curating this list!

I’ve been looking for reliable movie review sources, and this article just made my search a whole lot easier. Kudos!

Thanks, Kuliah.

I’ve been looking for reliable movie review sources, and this article just made my search a whole lot easier. Kudos!

Thanks a lot, yousif.

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Movie Reviews

Tv/streaming, collections, great movies, chaz's journal, contributors, all of us strangers.

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The surreal almost supernatural atmosphere of Andrew Haigh's "All of Us Strangers" is present from the first shots, where the sunset light streaming through the windows of the new apartment building seems piercingly gold, almost molten. There's something weird about the light, like it's sentient, reaching out for this building in particular. Then there's the building itself. It's mostly empty. There are only two residents. It's like the building is floating in a spacewhere time either collapses or stretches out like an accordion. Things become possible, things like forming a fragile and unexpected love connection, or, stranger, like being able to speak and meet with the dead. "All of Us Strangers" does these things, creating a sense of uncanniness from the first time we see the golden light hit the building windows, like it's come across the vast abyss of space specifically for this time, this place.

Andrew Haigh's other work shows the director's interest in relationships and intimacy (although not in an otherworldly way). "Weekend" was about a one-night stand's transformation into something more substantial, occurring, as the title suggests, in a compressed timeframe. " 45 Years ", on the other hand, showed the devastating crack-up of a relationship. Both films showed Haigh's sensitivity to human behavior, as well as the good care he takes of his actors, the room he gives them to feel and create. Charlotte Rampling was nominated for an Academy Award for "45 Years" and no wonder. Haigh loves actors. "All of Us Strangers" is a quartet, featuring four memorable performances by Andrew Scott , Paul Mescal , Claire Foy , and Jamie Bell .

Scott plays Adam, first seen basking in that eerie molten glow, as though being pulled towards it. He's a screenwriter, supposed to be working on a new script, but instead puttering about and procrastinating. One night the only other resident of the building knocks on his door. This is drunk, flirtatious, charming Harry (Mescal), looking for a hookup. Nothing happens that night but a delicate thread is established.

On occasion, Adam gets on a bus and travels to the house where he grew up in a nearby suburb. Inside live his parents (Foy, Bell), who died in a car crash when Adam was 12. They are the age when they died. Adam shows up at the door, and his parents are eager to hear about what he's been doing with himself all this time. It's a reunion, but the intensity of feeling is too much. This sense of "too much" floods the film: every interaction spills over into the next, and the next, with scenes between Adam and Harry, Adam and his mum, Adam and his dad, alternating. There's no filler, no downtime. It's one heavy catharsis after the next.

Haigh's touch is light, though. He has removed the extraneous and distracting. Loosely based on the 1987 novel Strangers, by Japanese novelist Taichi Yamada (who died just last month at the age of 89), "All of Us Strangers" is about a man coming out of hiding, facing his past and his present, simultaneously. Losing both your parents in a car crash at the age of 12 is, of course, a life-altering event. He has gone through his whole life without witnesses. The reunion is not without its hiccups. When he tells his mother he's gay, she is shocked. It's like she's never even heard of such a thing. She worries it will be a "sad" life for him, a lonely one. Her views are outdated. (The flipside, though, is her fears are not unfounded. Adam is sad, Adam is lonely.) When he breaks the news to his dad, the interaction goes a bit differently. (Jamie Bell, always an interesting actor, is just heartbreaking here.)

This potentially maudlin stuff is elevated by the work of all of the actors. What matters here is not just what is being said, but the emotions underneath. All four performers pour pure, undiluted feeling into their performances. The emotion gives the supernatural "All of Us Strangers" a feeling of reality. This is how it might go if you met your dead parents again. You'd want them to know you. You have so many things you didn't get to say. You'd want to try to say them. There'd be no pussy-footing around, no small talk. You'd have the courage to get to the point.

In real time, the relationship between Harry and Adam unfolds with tenderness and care. Adam, nearly celibate, is uncomfortable with sexual touch and yet yearning for it. The generation gap is present. Harry has no concept of associating sex with a possible death sentence. They talk things out. These scenes, too, are amazing (and make you really feel the lack of frank adult romances in cinema). If there's no small talk between Adam and his parents, the same is true with Adam and Harry.

Some of "All of Us Strangers" might not work, particularly the ending, which felt convoluted and pre-determined. The premise may seem hokey to some, an artificially generated family therapy session. I can see how this could be the reaction. But I'll come clean. When I have a strong response to a film, as a critic I interrogate it, whether the response is positive or negative. I look for my blind spots, I question resistance, I ask myself what the film is trying to do and whether or not it does it successfully (as opposed to wishing for a whole other film to have been made). "All of Us Strangers" generated such a strong personal response it obliterated my ability to interrogate it. I had no distance. I'd love to talk to my father again, and let him know I'm doing okay, tell him he doesn't have to worry. I'd love to see his face again and hear his laugh. Through "All of Us Strangers" I lived out that fantasy vicariously. The emotion was overwhelming.

"All of Us Strangers" flattened me. Interrogation canceled.

Sheila O'Malley

Sheila O'Malley received a BFA in Theatre from the University of Rhode Island and a Master's in Acting from the Actors Studio MFA Program. Read her answers to our Movie Love Questionnaire here .

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Film credits.

All of Us Strangers (2023)

105 minutes

Andrew Scott as Adam

Paul Mescal as Harry

Jamie Bell as Dad

Claire Foy as Mum

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Hurawatch+ TV 9+

Movies box & tv show manager, oussama ajlilim, designed for iphone.

4.4 • 179 Ratings

iPhone Screenshots

Description.

Discover, Track, and Explore with Hurawatch TV - Your Ultimate Entertainment Companion! Your One-Stop Destination for Movies and TV Shows: This is your go-to app for discovering the latest blockbusters, timeless classics, and binge-worthy TV shows. With an extensive database and a user-friendly interface, finding your next favorite movie or series has never been easier. Whether you're into action, romance, or thrillers, Hurawatch TV's genre-specific filters help you narrow down your search effortlessly. Stay Up-to-Date and Never Miss a Release: Keep track of your favorite movies and TV shows seamlessly with our unique tracking feature. Receive personalized notifications for upcoming releases and never miss an episode or premiere. Stay ahead of the entertainment curve and be the first to know about the latest buzz in the industry. Comprehensive Details at Your Fingertips: Explore in-depth information about movies and TV shows, including ratings, cast and crew details, and immersive trailers. Dive into the world of your favorite actors and directors, and stay informed about the latest trends and developments in the entertainment world. Immersive Trailers for an Enhanced Experience: While Hurawatch TV doesn't offer direct streaming services, it provides an immersive experience through high-quality trailers for both movies and TV shows. Get a taste of the excitement before deciding what to watch, making your entertainment selection process seamless and enjoyable. Your Feedback Matters: Here we prioritize user experience and are committed to continuous improvement. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us create the best app experience possible. Join us on this cinematic journey and be a part of shaping the future of entertainment discovery. Disclaimer: All movie information and images are sourced from TMDb and are licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0, ensuring a rich and diverse collection for your viewing pleasure. Learn more about the licensing terms at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/. Download Our App Now and Dive into a World of Entertainment! Embark on a cinematic adventure like never before. Enjoy an unparalleled entertainment experience and explore the world of movies and TV shows with just a few taps. Happy watching!

Version 1.3

Bug fixes & performance improvements. Experience our rebranded vision for a better movie app! Enjoy seamless browsing & enhanced features.

Ratings and Reviews

179 Ratings

No place to put provider info for iPad

The app works great on my phone, but trying to use it on my iPad has been difficult to say the least. Every time I open the app there is no opportunity to submit provider data. On the phone this is one of the first few steps. Very frustrating.

This app used to work great. I used to be able to watch live tv and movies/shows. Idk what they did but now you can’t do anything. Suuuuuucks.

Does not work

This all does not work at all on iPhone or iPad

App Privacy

The developer, oussama ajlilim , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Used to Track You

The following data may be used to track you across apps and websites owned by other companies:

Data Not Linked to You

The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

App Support
Privacy Policy

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Someone Like You

Based on the novel by #1 NYTimes bestselling author Karen Kingsbury, "Someone Like You" is an achingly beautiful love story. After the tragic loss of his best friend, a grieving young archit... Read all Based on the novel by #1 NYTimes bestselling author Karen Kingsbury, "Someone Like You" is an achingly beautiful love story. After the tragic loss of his best friend, a grieving young architect launches a search for her secret twin sister. Based on the novel by #1 NYTimes bestselling author Karen Kingsbury, "Someone Like You" is an achingly beautiful love story. After the tragic loss of his best friend, a grieving young architect launches a search for her secret twin sister.