• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Philadelphia Film Society

See something you'll never forget

  • Now Showing
  • Programs
    • Film Series
    • Education & Community
    • Movies on the Block
    • PFS On Us
  • Support
    • Membership
    • Individual Giving
    • Corporate Giving
    • Buy a Gift Card
    • Signature Events
    • Volunteer
  • Film Festival
    • PFF30
    • SpringFest
    • Environmental Film Festival
    • Sponsorship
    • Submissions
    • Field Trips
    • Past Film Festivals
  • Venues
    • PFS Bourse Theater
    • Philadelphia Film Center
    • Rent Our Venues
  • About
    • News & Stories
    • Who We Are
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • Donation Request
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
  • Join
  • Donate

ENCOUNTER

Michael Pearce | UK, USA | English | 2021 | 108 MIN

A never-better Riz Ahmed stars as a disturbed ex-marine on a mission to save his two children from an unseen alien force in this emotional sci-fi thriller.

The latest from co-writer/director Michael Pearce (Beast) is an out-of-this-world, suspenseful road movie with the powerful acting supernova of Riz Ahmed and Octavia Spencer at its center. Taking cues from the paranoia of 1950s alien invasion movies and the blockbuster wonder of Spielberg’s 80s classics, Pearce imbues this genre-bending psychological drama with a deep sense of empathy for a desperate man trying to do right by his children. After being away on a top secret mission, ex-marine Malik (Ahmed) surprises his two young sons in the middle of the night with claims about an alien invasion of parasitic microbes. The reserved Jay (Lucian River-Chauhan) and chatty Bobby (Aditya Geddada) are just happy to see their father and excited about promises of adventure after Malik’s two-year absence. Hitting the road with a secret military base as a destination, the loving father takes to training the two boys in identifying and subduing any compromised humans. As suspected extraterrestrials embark on a statewide manhunt for the family, Hattie (Octavia Spencer) leads her own investigation based on a personal relationship and history with Malik. The always astounding Spencer brings both gravitas and levity to a mysterious role, while Ahmed continues to astonish with the range and humility he brings to his complicated character. The chemistry between Malik and his sons lights up the screen, which Pearce fills with an increasing number of alien creepy crawlies. Filled with surprises and hair-raising drama, ENCOUNTER cements Pearce’s status as an exciting and important filmmaker and continues Ahmed’s phenomenal streak of award-worthy performances.

CAST: Riz Ahmed, Octavia Spencer, Rory Cochrane


All sales are final. Admission is not guaranteed after scheduled start time.

CLICK HERE to return to the complete 30th Philadelphia Film Festival schedule.


A Note on Health & Safety

As of September 1, PFS will require masking as well as proof of vaccination at the Film Center & PFS Bourse.

Acceptable forms of proof of vaccination include your CDC record/card or a picture of the vaccination card along with photo I.D.

Masks are required at all times except when eating or drinking in the theater. Children under the age of 12 are currently exempt from this requirement.

Click HERE for all of our health and safety regulations.

Showtimes

Click date & time to buy tickets

Join our mailing list
Copyright ©2022 Philadelphia Film Society, Registered 501(c)(3). EIN: 23-3077468
Administrative Offices 1412 Chestnut St Philadelphia, PA 19102 267-239-2941
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Accessibility
  • Now Showing
  • Twitter.com/PhillyFilmSoc
  • Instagram.com/phillyfilmsociety/
  • Facebook.com/PhilaFilmSociety
Masking is now optional at the Film Center & PFS Bourse, proof of vaccination is still required. Click HERE for more info!