UFO - Es ist hier

UFO - Es ist hier is a 2016 German science-fiction horror film that invites its audience to immerse themselves in an unnerving exploration of the unknown. Directed by Daniele Grieco, the movie brings together a talented ensemble cast, including Laura Berlin, Olga von Luckwald, and Dennis Mojen.

As with many films rooted in the alien sub-genre, UFO - Es ist hier draws its inspiration from eyewitness accounts and supposed real-life events that swear by the existence of extraterrestrial life. The movie reveals its narrative through the found-footage technique, adhering to the signature style of Director Daniele Grieco who exhibited the same realistic trait in his previous films like "The Presence". This film attempts to showcase the fear and suspense associated with the unknown, particularly when the unknown involves potential beings from outer space.

As the film begins, the audience is introduced to a group of five film students; Julia, Caecillia, Michael, Johannes, and Lukas, portrayed by Laura Berlin, Olga Von Luckwald, Dennis Mojen, Fabio Cimadamore, and Jan Walter, respectively. They embark on an expedition into the woods to film a documentary for their final college project. Suddenly during their project, an impacting celestial event known as a 'meteor shower' disrupts their expedition. Unknown of the disturbing circumstances soon to unfold, the students initially find the rain of meteorites fascinating. However, they soon realize that something more fearsome and extraordinary has plummeted into the proximity of their campsite, leading to the beginning of an unsettling and chilling experience.

UFO - Es ist hier intricately melds the fear of the demarcated wilderness with apprehensions of the undiscovered cosmos, portraying a creative blend that makes for an action-filled, suspenseful narrative. The characters find themselves in the middle of an unexpected disturbing journey, gradually becoming the hunted beings rather than the anticipatory explorers. This slow-building but gripping sense of apprehension, danger, and the unknown are elements that add to the story's suspense, gradually unfolding to reveal the chilling reality that laid within the meteor shower.

The performances by the cast, including Laura Berlin's portrayal of Julia – a woman known for her skepticism – and Olga von Luckwald's role as Caecillia – a believer in all things unexplained and mystical – play a measurable role in the film's narrative arc. Their on-screen chemistry, coupled with effective dialogue, shifts between lighthearted and humorous in the early beginning, to dire as the suspense thickens.

Another facet of UFO - Es ist hier that adds to its appeal is its production value. Despite being a low-budget movie, Grieco ensures that the film does not lose its grip on the viewer. The film, shot in the found footage style, embraces its rawness and authenticity, capturing the scenes in a realistic, documentary-like manner. The cinematography and use of sound provide an eeriness well-suited to the movie's suspenseful and haunting theme.

In terms of special effects, UFO - Es ist hier does not rely heavily on grandiose, alien-themed SFX, instead, it adheres to minimalistic but effective visuals that serve to bolster the suspense and fear. The sparse use of music throughout the run creates an environment of constant tension, leaving the audience in anticipation of what happens next.

A significant aspect of the film is its ability to portray human responses in the face of the unforeseen and fearful situations where characters oscillate between skepticism, vibrant curiosity, and sheer terror. It uncovers the variable side of human nature that reacts variedly under the pressuring circumstances.

In a nutshell, UFO - Es ist hier is much more than just an ordinary alien mystery film. It is a movie that builds its fear and suspense around the very concept of the unknown. Simultaneously, it provides subtle commentary on how humans might react to an extraterrestrial encounter with gripping performances, a suspenseful narrative, and an unsettling atmosphere throughout.