Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- eerie
- disturbing
- contemplative
- late night horror viewing
- arthouse horror night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film's extraordinary ecological imagery and practical creature effects while finding its writing and suspense less effective.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The primordial forest and post-human beings embody humanity's destructive relationship with the environment.
Characters develop wounds sprouting stems, caps, gills, moss, and other plantlike growths through practical effects.
The forest is presented through extraordinary natural imagery while concealing fungal threats and predatory post-human beings.
Barend and Stefan follow a post-apocalyptic lifestyle shaped by their own philosophical religion and mysterious bond with nature.
Films like Gaia, and why
The Ruins
shares ecological horror, isolated wilderness, and disturbing biological transformation
The Last Winter
shares post-apocalyptic natural horror, survivalist isolation, and body horror imagery
Annihilation
shares philosophical ecological themes, uncanny nature, and visually ambitious horror
The Girl with All the Gifts
shares fungal infestation, claustrophobic survival tension, and grotesque transformation
Movie Details
- Director
- Jaco Bouwer
- Release Date
- 2021-06-18
- Runtime
- 97 min
- Rating
- 5.9 / 10 (249)
Cast
- Monique Rockman
- Carel Nel
- Alex van Dyk
- Anthony Oseyemi
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Gaia about?
- A park ranger's encounter with an isolated father and son becomes a visually lush descent into fungal body horror and ecological transformation.
- What is Gaia like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Gaia as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Gaia violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Gaia as graphic.
- What did critics think of Gaia?
- Critics broadly praised the film's extraordinary ecological imagery and practical creature effects while finding its writing and suspense less effective.
- Which films are like Gaia?
- Films with a similar feel include The Ruins, The Last Winter, Annihilation, and The Girl with All the Gifts.
- How long is Gaia?
- Gaia runs 97 minutes.
- Where can I watch Gaia?
- In United States, Gaia is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
