Encounter Trailer
Two brothers embark on a journey with their father, who is trying to protect them from an alien threat.
Encounter: Release Date, Cast, And More
By Jeremy Mathai/Sept. 30, 2021 8:46 am EST
“Encounter” appears to be an interesting case of splitting the difference. Premiering at Telluride Film Festival and starring the indie favorite Riz Ahmed, the film certainly has the look and feel of a throwback mid-budget film … but with a sci-fi premise that should prove to be genre-friendly. We’ve compiled everything you need to know about the upcoming film.
Encounter Release Date and Where to Watch It
What Is Encounter?
“Encounter” is a genre-bending story that mixes elements of psychological thrillers and family dramas with a classic sci-fi premise: a parasitic invasion of extraterrestrials. The plot follows a Marine veteran and his two sons as he takes them on the road and attempts to survive the threat.
Encounter Director, Writer, and More
“Encounter” is directed by Michael Pearce, known for 2017’s “Beast.” He also co-writes the script along with Joe Barton, who has previously been a writer on “Humans,” “The Ritual,” and “My Days of Mercy.” “Beast,” “Monsoon,” and “Promising Young Woman” cinematographer Benjamin Kracun handles the camerawork on “Encounter.”
Encounter Cast
Riz Ahmed (“Nightcrawler,” “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” “The Sisters Brothers,” “Sound of Metal”) stars as Malik Khan, the former Marine who takes matters into his own hands to protect his two sons. Ahmed has previously commented on his color-blind casting in the lead role — a character that was originally named “Marcus” in the script with no other description of his background — and the layers it adds to the story.
“Reimagining the character could give it a layer of that racial alienation that a returning war veteran of Malik’s background would have, and just added stakes and added specificity and added layers and psychological conflict for the character in a way that maybe hadn’t been imagined to the start.”
Ahmed is joined by Octavia Spencer (“Hidden Figures,” “The Shape of Water,” “Instant Family”). Lucian-River Chauhan (“Heartland”) and Aditya Geddada, who is making his on-screen debut, both star as Khan’s two sons. Ahmed also described Chauhan as having “…a maturity and depth, a professionalism, precision even, and professionalism that is just decades beyond his years, frankly” and Geddada as “this firecracker of energy and charm.”
Ahmed is joined by Octavia Spencer (“Hidden Figures,” “The Shape of Water,” “Instant Family”). Lucian-River Chauhan (“Heartland”) and Aditya Geddada, who is making his on-screen debut, both star as Khan’s two sons. Ahmed also described Chauhan as having “…a maturity and depth, a professionalism, precision even, and professionalism that is just decades beyond his years, frankly” and Geddada as “this firecracker of energy and charm.”
“Reimagining the character could give it a layer of that racial alienation that a returning war veteran of Malik’s background would have, and just added stakes and added specificity and added layers and psychological conflict for the character in a way that maybe hadn’t been imagined to the start.”
Encounter Trailer
Two brothers embark on a journey with their father, who is trying to protect them from an alien threat.
Two brothers embark on a journey with their father, who is trying to protect them from an alien threat.
