In a not-too-distant future, Earth is under new management. The planet’s new leaders are the Vuvv, an exacting and quirky alien species that have brought with them wondrous, advanced technology that renders most human jobs obsolete and leads to a collapsed economy, worldwide food shortages, poverty, and desperation. This is the world of Landscape with an Invisible Hand, a wholly unique and decidedly human story of survival in occasionally absurd circumstances.

Based on the 2017 novel by National Book Award-winner M.T. Anderson, the film explores how humanity might handle an Earth-altering alien occupation and the resulting clash between class and commerce. Written and directed by Cory Finley, the innovative, poignant film explores the emotional center and conflict centered around teenage artist Adam, grappling with his place in the world. Families that were previously financially secure, even affluent, are crammed into a newly expanded underclass. And then you have the aliens who are fascinated with love, this illogical human emotion that they don’t share. That was a rich and funny and complicated metaphor I love. Our priority was to tell a story that evokes a deep emotional response, empathy for the characters and anxious, uncomfortable laughter,” says Finley.

The story’s world-building and certain elements of its scope are very intimate and very human in scale. Earth has had its heart torn out and is slowly stumbling to a halt. The new living arrangements are awkward for everyone, particularly Chloe’s prideful father and bitter older brother, but when the lovebirds learn that the Vuvv are fascinated with (and pay for) connection to human romantic relationships, the couple comes up with a plan to monetize their romance. Their public courtship becomes a huge hit, providing both of their families a much-needed economic boon, though it doesn’t ease tensions between the two families living under one roof.

The film’s plot points differ from the source material in two ways – the Campbells’ interactions with the alien offspring and the film’s ending. “I really wanted to make a Vuvv character that was an even more central part of the story,” says Finley. “One of the first movies I ever saw was E.T. – it’s a very different story obviously, this alien coming to live with kids, but there’s some subconscious DNA in there. And our ending is different, though again it spiritually captures the same thing that the book was doing.”

The film’s innovative, poignant approach explores the emotional center and conflict centered around teenage artist Adam, grappling with his place in the world. Families that were previously financially secure, even affluent, are crammed into a newly expanded underclass. And then you have the aliens who are fascinated with love, this illogical human emotion that they don’t share. That was a rich and funny and complicated metaphor I love. Our priority was to tell a story that evokes a deep emotional response, empathy for the characters and anxious, uncomfortable laughter,” says Finley.

The film’s writer/director Cory Finley was instantly intrigued by Anderson’s engrossing world populated by disillusioned humans and the coffee table-sized aliens controlling them. “Jeremy Kleiner at Plan B sent me the book and I connected with it on so many thematic and emotional levels,” he recalls. Finley says he was drawn to the story’s emotional center and conflict centered around teenage artist Adam, who’s grappling with his place in the world.

Taking on the big screen adaptation gave the writer/director an opportunity he’d been looking for – to step outside his comfort zone. “I was eager to do something with a hard genre element, that was more visually and technically ambitious,” he says. “I knew it would be difficult to make in a good way. It seemed like a good challenge to take on.”

The film’s style is bizarrely retro, infiltrating everything from the sets to the music and costumes, and creating a satire that will really ring true for people. Anderson says he couldn’t be happier with Finley’s bold approach and execution. “It was amazing to see how they brought these characters to life,” he says. “And I love that he created his own bizarre retro style for the film. It infiltrates everything: the sets, the music, the costumes. I think Cory has created a film that really catches the mood of this country at this moment — a satire that will really ring true for people.”

Landscape with an Invisible Hand is an interesting take on alien invasion that explores the emotional turmoil of the characters while also offering a satirical look at how humanity might handle an Earth-altering alien occupation. The film’s unique style and innovative approach make it a must-watch for anyone looking for a new take on the sci-fi genre. Check out the trailer here and watch it when it lands in theaters August 18th, 2023!