'Intelligent Life' is kind of a companion piece to 'Safety Not

"'Intelligent Life' is kind of a companion piece to 'Safety Not Guaranteed.' Internally, it's a sci-fi romantic thriller." These words from Colin Trevorrow describe a film that dances between genres, where science fiction, romance, and thriller intertwine to create a story that is both engaging and thought-provoking. What Trevorrow points to is a deeper essence of storytelling—the way in which science fiction can serve as a vehicle not just for exploration of the unknown, but for understanding the most human of emotions, love, connection, and the search for meaning. The term "companion piece" suggests that the two films share an underlying theme or emotional journey, one that traverses both the excitement of adventure and the quiet, yet profound, moments of personal growth.

In the ancient world, stories of heroes and gods were often told to explore the deepest aspects of human existence. Take Homer’s Odyssey, a tale filled with both epic adventure and deeply human moments. Odysseus, the hero, journeys through monstrous creatures, divine trials, and life-threatening dangers, but his true quest is not just for return to his homeland but for reconciliation with his own heart and with those he loves. Similarly, the sci-fi romantic thriller genre that Trevorrow describes blends the unknown and the human heart, creating stories that not only ask "what if?" but also "what does it mean to love and be loved?" These narratives are fueled by the pursuit of both adventure and connection—the dual forces that shape our lives, even today.

Consider the legendary journey of Heracles (or Hercules) in his Twelve Labors. Heracles’ story is one of trials—the kind that seem impossible at first glance. However, beneath each of these external challenges is an internal journey, a quest for self-understanding and redemption. His romantic relationships, too, are marked by love and loss, and his journey can be viewed as a blend of adventure and the emotional and moral complexities of human relationships. This blend of external and internal is what Trevorrow touches upon in his description of the film, suggesting that, like the ancient myths, "Intelligent Life" is about far more than just alien encounters; it’s a deep exploration of the human condition, set against a backdrop of thrilling adventure.

Trevorrow’s mention of the film as a sci-fi romantic thriller hints at the emotional tension between the rational mind and the irrational, the unknown forces that govern our personal lives and our relationships. The science fiction element often takes us beyond the bounds of the real world—into worlds of space travel, futuristic technology, and the unfathomable. However, it is the romantic thriller part that underscores the human side of the story. This tension between the pragmatic and the emotional, the exploratory and the intimate, mirrors our own lives. How often do we, as humans, balance our desires for adventure with our yearnings for connection? How often do we seek the unknown, only to realize that what we truly need lies in the relationships we form along the way?

The great thinkers of the ancient world, such as Socrates, knew that true knowledge comes not just from external exploration but from inner examination. Just as the hero’s journey is marked by both outward conquest and inner transformation, so too is the journey of each person. Socrates emphasized the importance of self-examination, suggesting that in our pursuit of knowledge and truth, we must also ask: "What does this mean for me? What is the nature of my connection to others?" The sci-fi elements in Trevorrow’s film echo this dual quest for both adventure and personal growth. Exploring the unknown, whether in the stars or in the heart, is central to what it means to be human.

The real-life lesson here is that exploration—both in the external world and within ourselves—requires an integration of the rational and the emotional. Adventure can be thrilling, but it is the emotional connections we make along the way that give it meaning. Just as Trevorrow’s film suggests, romantic relationships, in the context of adventure, offer something that transcends mere excitement. They offer growth, understanding, and the reconciliation of the heart’s desires with the mind’s quest for knowledge. The thrill of the unknown, whether in space, in the pursuit of love, or in the exploration of self, is tempered by the grounding force of human connection.

In our own lives, let us seek to balance the external with the internal, the adventurous with the intimate. As we strive for personal growth, let us remember that our relationships—whether romantic, familial, or friendly—are not just side notes in the quest for success or discovery. They are integral parts of the journey. Just as the ancient heroes blended their quests with personal challenges, we too must seek to find the wisdom in both the adventure and the love that shapes our stories. And, as we face the unknowns in our lives, let us remember that the greatest discoveries often come not from external exploration alone, but from the profound connections we make along the way. Just as "Intelligent Life" blends sci-fi with romance, so too must we blend the rational with the emotional in our quest for a life truly well-lived.