Evolution

Evolution

Year: 2016

Runtime: 81 min

Language: Hungarian

Director: Lucile Hadzihalilovic

Sci-FiDramaMysteryHorror

In this eerie sci-fi drama, the tranquil coastal life of 10-year-old Nicolas is disrupted by the disturbing discovery of a boy's body with a distinctive crimson starfish marking. As Nicolas investigates, he begins to uncover unsettling secrets about his isolated community and his own obscured past. He must confront the mysterious forces leading the boys to a secluded hospital, where their fates are intertwined and a dark truth awaits.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Evolution yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Evolution (2016)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Evolution (2016). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The film’s events unfold in an ambiguous time period, not explicitly defined but hinting at contemporary influences. The presence of modern medical practices juxtaposed with primal mystery creates a surreal and unsettling atmosphere.

Location

Coastal village, Hospital, Major city

The story takes place in a secluded coastal village, known for its stark isolation and mysterious occurrences. A local hospital serves as a crucial backdrop, where young boys are subjected to strange medical procedures. The journey culminates in a major city harbor, representing a stark contrast to the oppressive atmosphere of the village.

🌊 Coastal 🏥 Hospital 🏙️ Urban

Last Updated: May 04, 2025 at 18:45

Main Characters – Evolution (2016)

Meet the key characters of Evolution (2016), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Nicolas

Nicolas is a sickly and curious young boy who embodies innocence and naivety. His experiences of fear and betrayal are catalysts in a profound transformation as he grapples with his identity and seeks the truth about his environment. Nicolas's courage is unveiled as he confronts the mysteries and dangers of the village.

🚸 Child 🧠 Curious 😨 Innocent

Stella

Stella is a nurse who develops a complex relationship with Nicolas, serving as both a caregiver and an enigma. Her actions blur moral lines, combining tenderness with manipulation as she reveals hidden truths. Stella's character amplifies the themes of trust and betrayal, leaving Nicolas and the audience questioning her motives.

👩‍⚕️ Caregiver 🌊 Mysterious 💔 Duality

Victor

Victor is another boy in the village who shares a brief but impactful friendship with Nicolas. His experiences underscore the underlying danger in their surreal environment, and his tragic fate serves as a warning for Nicolas. Victor embodies the loss of childhood innocence amid the sinister realities faced by the boys.

👦 Friend ⚰️ Tragic 😢 Innocent

Last Updated: May 04, 2025 at 18:45

Major Themes – Evolution (2016)

Explore the central themes of Evolution (2016), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🦑 Identity

Identity emerges as a central theme as Nicolas struggles with conflicting perceptions of his mother and his own sense of self. The exploration of who the real caregivers are highlights the loss of individuality in a conformist environment. The boys’ experiences reveal the darker side of familial bonds and personal truth.

🌌 Surrealism

The film encapsulates surreal elements through its dreamlike narrative, blurring the lines between reality and imagination. The frequent imagery of the sea and the uncanny occurrences create a feeling of otherworldliness, challenging the viewer's comprehension of barriers between life and death. This surrealism heightens the emotional impact of Nicolas's harrowing journey.

🏝️ Isolation

Isolation resonates deeply within the confines of the coastal village and the hospital. Nicolas's sense of abandonment and confinement intensifies as he uncovers the truth about his surroundings. The oppressive atmosphere accentuates the emotional weight of solitude and the desperation for connection.

Last Updated: May 04, 2025 at 18:45

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Sinister community mysteries like Evolution

A protagonist uncovers a dark, hidden truth festering within a seemingly ordinary place.If you enjoyed the creeping dread of Evolution as Nicolas uncovered his community's secret, you'll find more movies like it here. This thread gathers unsettling dramas and horror films where the discovery of a hidden truth within an isolated town or group forms the core of the mystery.

unsettlingmysteriousclaustrophobicparanoidsuspensefuleeriesinister

Narrative Summary

The narrative often begins with an anomaly or a discovery that challenges the protagonist's perception of their world. As their investigation deepens, they face resistance, deception, and sometimes danger from the community itself, leading to a climax that shatters their understanding of reality and safety.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped together because they share a specific structure of investigation and revelation within a constrained social setting. They prioritize atmospheric dread and psychological unease over action, creating a powerful sense of paranoia and the terrifying collapse of a known world.

Slow burn body horror movies like Evolution

A slow, surreal descent into horror where the body itself becomes the source of terror.For viewers who appreciated the unsettling body horror and existential themes in Evolution, this thread features similar movies. These films blend sci-fi and horror with a heavy emotional weight, often featuring ambiguous endings and a focus on the grotesque transformation of the human form.

body horrorsurrealdreamlikemelancholicexistentialunsettlinggrotesquepsychological

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread follow a character's gradual confrontation with a physical or metaphysical threat that alters their very being. The narrative unfolds through symbolic imagery and a building sense of dread, often culminating in an ambiguous or bleak resolution that emphasizes the themes of loss and transformation.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their focus on the horror of the body—be it through infection, transformation, or violation—and their use of a slow, atmospheric pace to maximize unease. They share a dark tone, complex themes, and a preference for psychological impact over jump scares.

Unlock the Full Story of Evolution

Don't stop at just watching — explore Evolution in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Evolution is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Evolution Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Evolution, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Evolution Summary

Evolution Timeline

Track the full timeline of Evolution with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Evolution Timeline

Evolution Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Evolution that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Evolution Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Evolution

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Evolution: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Evolution

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Discover movies like Evolution that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.