Bliss

Movie Trailer

Release Date
February 5, 2021

Genre
Science Fiction, Drama, Romance

Cast & Crew

• Owen Wilson as Greg Wittle
• Salma Hayek as Isabel Clemens
• Nesta Cooper as Emily Wittle
• Jorge Lendeborg Jr. as Arthur Wittle
• Ronny Chieng as Kendo
• Steve Zissis as Bjorn
• Joshua Leonard as Cameron

Director
Mike Cahill

Other Movies Director is Known For

• Another Earth (2011)
• I Origins (2014)

Producer

• James D. Stern
• Lucas Smith
• Marsha Swinton

Writer

• Mike Cahill

Budget
Estimated at $15 million

Production Company

• Amazon Studios
• Endgame Entertainment

Running Time
103 minutes

Languages
English

Maturity Rating
R

Content Advisory

• Drug use
• Violence
• Some sexual content
• Language

Movie Story
“Bliss” is a mind-bending science fiction drama that blurs the line between reality and fantasy. The film follows Greg Wittle (Owen Wilson), a recently divorced, down-on-his-luck man who is struggling to keep his life together. After losing his job and facing mounting personal issues, Greg meets the enigmatic and mysterious Isabel Clemens (Salma Hayek), who claims that the world they live in is a computer simulation.

Isabel convinces Greg that they are both living in a simulated reality, and that their true existence is in a much more beautiful and utopian world known as “Bliss.” She introduces Greg to a drug that allows them to “glitch” the simulation, manipulating the reality around them in extraordinary ways. As Greg becomes more immersed in Isabel’s version of the truth, he begins to question his own perceptions and the nature of his reality.

Throughout the film, Greg is torn between the seemingly perfect world of Bliss and the gritty, often painful reality he experiences in his daily life. His relationship with his daughter Emily (Nesta Cooper) becomes increasingly strained as he delves deeper into the simulation theory, leading him to question whether Bliss is real or simply an escape from his troubled life.

As the story unfolds, Greg’s journey becomes a search for truth, love, and meaning in a world where reality is constantly shifting. “Bliss” explores themes of addiction, mental illness, and the longing for a better life, challenging the audience to consider what is real and what is illusion.

Special Effects
“Bliss” makes extensive use of visual effects to create the contrast between the grim, mundane reality and the vibrant, surreal world of Bliss. The film’s special effects are used to enhance the sense of disorientation and uncertainty, with moments where the boundaries of reality are pushed to their limits. The visual style, with its dreamlike sequences and shifting color palettes, reflects the film’s exploration of perception and reality.

Box Office Performance
“Bliss” was released directly on Amazon Prime Video, bypassing traditional theaters due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The film received mixed reviews from critics and audiences, with praise for its ambitious concept and the performances of Owen Wilson and Salma Hayek, but criticism for its complex and sometimes confusing narrative. Despite the mixed reception, “Bliss” found an audience interested in thought-provoking sci-fi dramas that challenge perceptions of reality.

Filming Locations

• Los Angeles, California, USA
• Split, Croatia
• Budapest, Hungary

Notable Quotes

• “You have to take the rough with the smooth. Reality with the fantasy.” – Isabel Clemens
• “What if this is all real?” – Greg Wittle

Behind-the-Scenes
Director Mike Cahill, known for his work on indie science fiction films, sought to create a movie that explores the complexities of human perception and the nature of reality. The film’s concept was inspired by philosophical discussions about simulated realities and the nature of consciousness. Cahill worked closely with Owen Wilson and Salma Hayek to bring depth to their characters, emphasizing the emotional journey as much as the science fiction elements.

Awards

• None, though the film was noted for its ambitious storytelling and the performances of its lead actors.

Final Verdict
“Bliss” is a visually stunning and intellectually stimulating film that will appeal to fans of high-concept science fiction. While its complex narrative may be challenging for some viewers, the performances of Owen Wilson and Salma Hayek anchor the story, providing a human element to the abstract themes. The film’s exploration of reality, illusion, and the human desire for something better makes it a compelling watch for those interested in thought-provoking cinema.

IMDb Rating
5.4/10