Communion

Set in 1985, the narrative unfolds in a mid-1980s urban environment that bleeds into a secluded countryside cabin. The era’s technological and cultural backdrop informs the characters’ skepticism and eagerness to understand extraordinary experiences. Memory, therapy, and distant scientific curiosity shape how the events are interpreted during this period.

The story shifts between Whitley Strieber's Manhattan apartment and a remote family cabin in the woods, highlighting the contrast between the bustling city life and isolated retreat where strange encounters occur. Manhattan represents the author’s professional success and normal domesticity, while the cabin becomes the claustrophobic setting for otherworldly intrusions. These two places frame the tension between everyday life and the unknown.

👽 Alien Contact

The core of the film centers on Whitley Strieber's repeated encounters with extraterrestrial beings and the sense that contact has shaped his life beyond a single moment. Encounters blur the line between dream and reality, driving a quest for truth. The theme also raises the idea that such contact may be hereditary, passing from parent to child.

🧠 Reality vs Perception

Hypnosis and regression therapy probe the boundary between truth and illusion. Strieber vacillates between validation and doubt as doctors confirm possible experiments, while he maintains personal skepticism. The story questions whether subjective experiences can be as compelling as objective evidence and how memory shapes belief.

👪 Family & Legacy

Marital strain and paternal concerns anchor the narrative as visions intrude on daily life. The alien contact is framed as a family matter, suggesting a lineage of encounters that could be passed to Whitley’s son Andrew. Acceptance of the visitation eventually reinforces family bonds and shared purpose.