Upstream Color
A traumatised woman and a stranger form an enigmatic bond while trying to reclaim identities disrupted by a parasitic hypnotic process.
Overview
A haunting exploration of love and loss intertwined with the surreal.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Dense
- Violence
- Mild
- dreamy
- melancholic
- hypnotic
- reflective viewing
- late night cinema
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as technically brilliant, visually beautiful, emotionally powerful, and boldly experimental, while acknowledging that its abstract narrative can perplex viewers.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The parasite, pig, plants, and human characters form a recurring chain of biological and psychological interdependence.
Kris's attack, recovery, relationship, and biological connections are presented through gaps, repetitions, and unexplained transitions.
Time-lapse growth and decay, water, animals, and tactile close-ups parallel the characters' psychological states.
Kris and Jeff's intimacy develops through overlapping trauma, memory disturbance, and an uncertain sense of common experience.
Films like Upstream Color, and why
Primer
experimental science fiction, fragmented identity, and emotionally opaque storytelling
The Tree of Life
lyrical natural imagery, whispered intimacy, and spiritually suggestive abstract narrative
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
arthouse science fiction focused on intimate relationships and unstable perception
Under the Skin
organic imagery, philosophical science fiction, and deliberately enigmatic storytelling
Movie Details
- Director
- Shane Carruth
- Release Date
- 2013-04-05
- Runtime
- 96 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (834)
Cast
- Amy Seimetz
- Shane Carruth
- Andrew Sensenig
- Thiago Martins
- Carolyn King
- Mollie Milligan
- Myles McGee
- Ashton Miramontes
- Andreon Watson
- Frank Mosley
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Upstream Color about?
- A traumatised woman and a stranger form an enigmatic bond while trying to reclaim identities disrupted by a parasitic hypnotic process.
- What is Upstream Color like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Upstream Color as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as dense.
- Is Upstream Color violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Upstream Color as mild.
- What did critics think of Upstream Color?
- Critics broadly praised the film as technically brilliant, visually beautiful, emotionally powerful, and boldly experimental, while acknowledging that its abstract narrative can perplex viewers.
- Which films are like Upstream Color?
- Films with a similar feel include Primer, The Tree of Life, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and Under the Skin.
- How long is Upstream Color?
- Upstream Color runs 96 minutes.
- Where can I watch Upstream Color?
- In United States, Upstream Color is available to rent or buy from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube.
