Arrival

Year

2016

Duration

116 minutes

Genres

Drama, Science Fiction and Fantasy

Language

English (English subtitles)

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Synopsis

When a mysterious alien species unexpectedly lands on Earth in a series of giant pods, an elite team – led by expert linguist Louise Banks – are brought together to investigate. With mankind seemingly heading inexorably for a global war, Banks and her team struggle to seek out answers for what’s going on. However, doing that involves taking a chance that not only threatens her own life, but the fate of the entire planet. Based on a short story by American writer Ted Chiang, this science-fiction drama serves as an antidote to the increasingly bombastic world of the modern blockbuster, grounding its narrative in something much more real and earthy, if no less fantastic.

Director/s

Denis Villeneuve

Cast (in alphabetical order)

Also available with this film on Into Film+

3 RESOURCES & 1 INTO FILM+ PLAYLIST

Find the resources and film highlights related to Arrival (2016) to use in your teaching

What is an Into Film Club?

Classification

Infrequent strong language.

Find out more on the BBFC website

Also available with this film on Into Film+

3 RESOURCES & 1 INTO FILM+ PLAYLIST

Find the resources and film highlights related to Arrival (2016) to use in your teaching

Resources To Use With This Film

Arrival: Film Guide

World Space Week, 4 Oct - 10 Oct

A film guide that looks at Arrival (2016), exploring its key topics and themes through informal discussion.

Suitable for 14–16

1 ppt

View resource

The Shape of Water: Film Guide

Oscars, 26 Apr

A film guide that looks at The Shape of Water (2017), exploring its key topics and themes through informal discussion.

Suitable for 16+

1 ppt

View resource

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Training

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Arrival: sci-fi that uses language to challenge the imagination

11 Nov 2016 BY Elinor Walpole in Film Features

We take a look at thoughtful new sci-fi Arrival, which has an interesting focus on language and communication, and reflects the rich history of the genre.

Reading time 6 mins

View Article

Best of 2016: Our favourite films of the year

15 Dec 2016 BY Michael Prescott in Film Features

After a bumper year of cinema, our Film Programming Assistant Michael runs you through the highlights, before revealing the whole team's Top 5 of 2016.

Reading time 10 mins

View Article

Building 'Connections' with British Science Week 2023

07 Mar 2023

Our many Into Film+ titles, resources and exclusive content can help you mark this annual celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths.

Reading time 3 mins

View Article

Cinema highlights for Autumn 2017

04 Sep 2017 BY Michael Prescott in Film Features

We look ahead to some of the biggest and best cinema releases coming up during the Autumn term, ranging from Paddington 2 to Blade Runner 2049.

Reading time 7 mins

View Article

This guide provides quick and easy discussion tools and curricular links fo

How film club can benefit students in a Pupil Referral Unit

22 May 2017 in Into Film Club of the Month

May's leader of the month is Zahra Bei, from Burnside Secondary PRU in London. Here, she talks to us about the many ways using film has benefitted her pupils.

Reading time 2 mins

View Article

New Films Streaming Now on Into Film+

07 Sep 2021 in Into Film+

We've added fantastic new titles to our Into Film+ streaming platform, including recent releases 'Onward' and 'White Riot', plus some Into Film Club favourites!

Reading time 8 mins

View Article

Nominees for the 2017 BAFTAs announced

10 Jan 2017 BY Michael Prescott

We pick some film club favourites from this year's BAFTA nominated films, many of which we explored with great articles and interviews over the past year.

Reading time 5 mins

View Article

The remarkable visual design of 'Blade Runner 2049'

06 Oct 2017 BY Joe Ursell in Film Features

We take a look at the new Blade Runner sequel, which combines astounding visuals with deep explorations of philosophical, ethical and environmental issues.

Reading time 8 mins

View Article

Using film to celebrate 'Women in Space' this World Space Week

05 Oct 2021

Our curated collection of resources can help you explore World Space Week and the 2021 theme celebrating the achievements of women in space.

Viewing time 6 mins

Play Video

d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing

A list of films that share themes, characters and stories that may resonate with d/deaf or hard of hearing audiences.

Suitable forAll ages

No. of films12

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Arrival

Film Details

Year

Duration

Genres

Language

Synopsis

Director/s

Cast (in alphabetical order)

Also available with this film on Into Film+

3 RESOURCES & 1 INTO FILM+ PLAYLIST

Additional details

Classification

Engaging for ages

Also available with this film on Into Film+

3 RESOURCES & 1 INTO FILM+ PLAYLIST

Resources To Use With This Film

Arrival: Film Guide

World Space Week, 4 Oct - 10 Oct

The Shape of Water: Film Guide

Oscars, 26 Apr

Related Films

Contact(1997)

Contact(1997)

Close Encounters of the Third Kind(1977)

Close Encounters of the Third Kind(1977)

War of the Worlds(2005)

War of the Worlds(2005)

Independence Day(1996)

Independence Day(1996)

Rate this film

Your rating

Member rating

Leader rating

Reviews (35)

Into Film Clubs

Do I Need a Licence?

How do Into Film Clubs work?

Training

You may also be interested in...

Arrival: sci-fi that uses language to challenge the imagination

Best of 2016: Our favourite films of the year

Building 'Connections' with British Science Week 2023

Cinema highlights for Autumn 2017

How film club can benefit students in a Pupil Referral Unit

New Films Streaming Now on Into Film+

Nominees for the 2017 BAFTAs announced

The remarkable visual design of 'Blade Runner 2049'

Using film to celebrate 'Women in Space' this World Space Week

d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing

What our educators say