I Origins

Ian Gray is a molecular biologist who treats the eye as a key to bigger mysteries about perception and human identity. He spends years decoding how iris patterns encode memory and variation, convinced that sight is more than a biological process. When a chance encounter with a mysterious patient named Sofi opens a door to questions beyond science, his life begins to tilt toward the unknowable. Ian keeps his relationship with Karen, a fellow scientist, on the back burner as his lab work intensifies, leading to discoveries that challenge his atheistic worldview. The film follows his experiments, the people he loves, and the ethical and existential questions that arise when science brushes up against spirituality.

Released in 2014 and directed by Mike Cahill, I Origins stems from an original screenplay rather than an adaptation, reflecting Cahill's interest in blending science with metaphysical ideas.

Among indie sci fi circles, the film sparked conversations about how science and belief can illuminate the same question from different angles. Its focus on the eye as a gateway to memory and identity has lingered in discussions of visual perception and spirituality.

Critics welcomed the film for its thoughtful treatment of the clash between empirical inquiry and personal belief, and for solid performances from Michael Pitt and Brit Marling. Some reviewers noted a deliberate pace, but the central tension stays with you long after the credits.