Encounter

Malik Khan, a hardened Marine, heads into a perilous mission to bring his two young sons back from a threat that defies ordinary explanation. What starts as a straightforward rescue spirals into a sequence of isolating and dangerous encounters as miles of road blur into a test of will. With time slipping away and the line between protector and predator growing hazy, Malik must weigh what he can endure to keep his children safe. Along the way the boys confront fear, grit, and a dawning realization that childhood may be a casualty of a world that refuses to stay within the rules. The trek pushes the family through desolate landscapes and crowded towns, challenging trust, belief, and parental control. The tension never fully yields to spectacle, keeping the focus on family.

Released in 2021, Encounter was directed by Michael Pearce from an original screenplay by Joe Barton. The film features Riz Ahmed, Octavia Spencer, Lucian-River Chauhan, and Rory Cochrane in a tense thriller that blends sf ideas with family drama.

Critics have highlighted Riz Ahmed's work and the film's claustrophobic mood, using a science fiction premise to explore trust and the limits of protection within a fractured family. The story invites reflection on what parents owe to their children under pressure, and how fear can bend perception and judgment.

Box office details are limited due to a restrained release and streaming strategy; there are no widely reported numbers or records to cite. The film found a niche audience through festival play and on demand platforms.

Encounter has sparked discussion about how thrillers frame danger and father son bonds. The story uses a non human threat as a backdrop to character drama, highlighting performance and emotion over spectacle. Critics praise Riz Ahmed and Octavia Spencer for grounding the film in real human stakes.