The central message of the movie Arrival (2016) revolves around communication: its content, context, time, and understanding.
Director Denis Villeneuve uses the arrival of extra-terrestrial beings to explore how language shapes perception and thought.
The key protagonist, a linguist named Louise Banks, deciphers the alien language, she discovers that their mode of communication is non-linear, allowing her to perceive time differently.
One key theme is the idea that language can fundamentally alter how we experience reality.
The film suggests that understanding others—whether humans or aliens—requires more than just translation.
IT DEMANDS EMPATHY AND OPEN MINDEDNESS
At a philosophical level, it ultimately posits that despite the pain that may come with certain experiences, the beauty and meaning in life make them worthwhile .
These are profound questions about communication, the human experience, and the nature of time which we don’t often think about and now are being provoked by the acceleration of artificial general intelligence.