“In this case, there is another you out there,” a firm voice elucidates calmly, as the main protagonist, Rhoda Williams, walks to the edge of the pier gazing at the mirrored Earth in the sky. In the film Another Earth (2011), the Earth is not simply another inhabitable planet situated in outer space, but a parallel world with the same people and environment as the Earth we are living on. Throughout the film, such ideas of a duplicate Earth unravel with a morally complicated story, expanding the limits of our imagination.

Having been selected as one of the top independent films of 2011 at the 83rd National Board of Review Awards, Another Earth is a low- budget independent film which bases its dramatic story on science-fiction. The film is unique in that the director, Mike Cahill, participated in all aspects of creating the film, including directing, producing, writing, and editing. In addition, Brit Marling, who plays the main role of Rhoda, actively engaged in the production and writing process as well. Such collaborative involvement allows the film to convey the emotions of the characters in a condensed, yet structured manner.

The Emergence of the Second Earth

Another Earth begins with a 17-year-old Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) student named Rhoda crashing into another car while driving under the influence and looking out the window to see the second Earth. Although Rhoda is not hurt, John Burroughs, the driver of the other car, loses his wife and son in the accident. Rhoda, being underage, serves four years in prison and returns to society. At this time, the second Earth has come closer and more communication has been facilitated between the two planets.

When explaining the existence of a duplicate Earth in the sky, the film adopts the parallel theory. The parallel theory in the film maintains that the two planets are completely identical, including their terrestrial mass, physical environment, and people. In particular, such an element of parallelism is illustrated in a scene where a news reporter contacts the other Earth. As she communicates, a voice replies back which sounds surprisingly identical to her own voice. The reporter asks several personal questions, including her birthdate, hometown, and childhood memories, and the answers contain information describing her own identity. The communication brings light to the characters of the possibility of a parallel world.

However, the two Earths do not remain identical eternally. The film introduces another theory to the story — the broken mirror theory. This theory suggests that once the two planets discover one another, the parallelism begins to break down, resembling a broken mirror. Such an unexpected variable causes differences to develop between the Earths, changing the course of the story in the film.

The Dilemma between Confessing and Fleeing 

After Rhoda returns home, she feels the need to genuinely apologize to John, as she irrevocably took John’s family from him. However, after she walks up to the doorsteps of John’s home, she suddenly loses her courage and tells the lie that she came to offer a free trial of home cleaning service. John, who has never been informed of who the perpetrator of the accident is, accepts her into his house to receive the service. Rhoda soon becomes a regular visitor to John’s house as a hired housekeeper, and the two form an intimate relationship.

However, as Rhoda and John fall into a romantic relationship, Rhoda’s inner conflict reaches its peak. On one hand, she wishes to confess her past, but on the other hand, she feels as if she is fulfilling the happiness of John — deluding herself that she has obtained redemption. At this moment, Rhoda also wins a ticket to go to the second Earth, which acts as her psychological and physical refuge.

Eventually, she decides to speak the truth and gives the ticket to John, because there is a possibility of his family being alive on the second Earth, according to the broken mirror theory. However, the process which leads Rhoda to such a conclusion is not simple, as she displays the pain caused by this psychological dilemma continuously throughout the movie.

A Unique Unfolding of the Story

As a low-budget film, Another Earth utilizes a unique method when illustrating the presence of the second Earth. In the beginning, the other Earth is portrayed as a star illuminating blue rays. By incorporating images of other planets such as Jupiter provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the film produces a mystical and astronomical sentiment.

Further into the film, the planet approaches closer and its image becomes clearer. At this point, it is portrayed as if it were the moon, floating in the sky. In scenes where the sky does not appear, its presence is only depicted indirectly through the characters’ actions without any use of special computer graphics (CG) or visual effects. For instance, when Rhoda and John discuss the possibility of another self on the second Earth, the presence of the planet is implied as the two use a telescope. In this way, the film continues to concentrate on the characters rather than the shocking existence of the duplicated Earth itself.

In an interview with Complex, an American media platform, Cahill states, “The science fiction just allows us to get another perspective on our interior world. So taking the character’s internal personality and making another physical replica of the character brings us closer to understanding her emotionally.” In making this comment, Cahill emphasizes his intention in utilizing the science fiction aspect in order to focus more on the emotional aspects of the character.

Another Earth is a film that delicately balances the elements of science fiction and drama. The complexity of the geographical environment and the characters’ relationship in the film provides an unconventional angle to understand psychological dilemmas. By expanding our cosmos, Another Earth delves into the core of human emotion.

Film Information

Title: Another Earth

Running Time: 92 minutes

Released Date: July 22, 2011 (U.S.)

Director: Mike Cahill

Cast: Brit Marling, William Mapother