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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Entertainment • Film

Vivarium

Vivarium is a 2019 science fiction psychological thriller film directed by Lorcan Finnegan from a story by Finnegan and Garret Shanley.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Vivarium is a 2019 science fiction psychological thriller film directed by Lorcan Finnegan from a story by Finnegan and Garret Shanley. It stars Imogen Poots and Jesse Eisenberg as a couple trapped in a surreal suburban housing development while caring for a mysterious child. The film is an international co-production of Ireland, Denmark, and Belgium.

Plot

The film centres on Gemma and Tom, a couple who visit a new suburban development called Yonder and find themselves unable to leave. They are forced to care for a mysterious humanoid child while living in a maze-like neighbourhood of identical houses.

Production

Vivarium is an international co-production involving Ireland, Denmark, and Belgium. It was developed from a story by Lorcan Finnegan and Garret Shanley, with Shanley writing the screenplay.

Release

The film had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on 18 May 2019. It later opened in Ireland on 27 March 2020 through Vertigo Releasing.

Reception

Reviews described the film as a surreal, unsettling science fiction horror or thriller focused on suburbia, parenthood, and confinement.

Key facts

  • Vivarium is a 2019 science fiction psychological thriller film.
  • It was directed by Lorcan Finnegan and written by Garret Shanley.
  • The film stars Imogen Poots and Jesse Eisenberg.
  • It premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on 18 May 2019.
  • The plot follows a couple trapped in a suburban development called Yonder.
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Canadian context

Canadian viewers may know Vivarium through international festival coverage and streaming or home-video distribution in Canada, but the film has no clear Canada-specific subject connection in the provided sources.

Frequently asked questions

What is Vivarium about?
It follows a couple who become trapped in a strange suburban development and are made to raise a mysterious child.
Who directed Vivarium?
Vivarium was directed by Lorcan Finnegan.
Who stars in Vivarium?
The lead roles are played by Imogen Poots and Jesse Eisenberg.
When did Vivarium premiere?
It premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on 18 May 2019.
What countries produced Vivarium?
It was an international co-production of Ireland, Denmark, and Belgium.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vivarium_(film)
    Supports: Director, writers, cast, premise, premiere date, and Irish release date.
  2. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/vivarium-movie-review-2020
    Supports: Film premise and release timing.
  3. The Hollywood Reporter — https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/vivarium-review-1211969/
    Supports: Film description and thematic framing.
  4. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/vivarium
    Supports: Runtime, rating, director, cast, genre, and plot summary.
  5. Screen Daily — https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/vivarium-cannes-review/5139622.article
    Supports: Runtime, country co-production details, and thematic description.