Here (2024) is an ambitious American drama directed by Robert Zemeckis, adapted from Richard McGuire’s 2014 graphic novel. The film presents a unique narrative structure, focusing on a single location—a plot of land in New England—and chronicles the myriad events that transpire there over millennia. The story spans from prehistoric times, showcasing dinosaurs and the Ice Age, to the 21st century, highlighting the lives of various inhabitants who occupy the space.

The film opens with scenes from the Cretaceous period, depicting dinosaurs roaming the area before their extinction. As time progresses, the land becomes home to the Lenni-Lenape people, focusing on a couple’s life, their family, and eventual loss. The narrative then transitions to the late 18th century, featuring William Franklin, Benjamin Franklin’s son, who owns the estate. By the early 20th century, a house is constructed on the land, becoming the central setting for the film’s subsequent events.

Throughout the decades, the house witnesses the lives of multiple families. In the 1910s, John and Pauline Harter are introduced, with John’s passion for aviation and his untimely death during the Spanish flu pandemic. The 1940s bring Lee and Stella Beekman, an inventive couple involved in the creation of the La-Z-Boy recliner, who later relocate to California. Post-World War II, the Young family, led by Al and Rose, purchase the house in 1945. Their son, Richard (portrayed by Tom Hanks), marries Margaret (played by Robin Wright) after an unexpected pregnancy, leading them to raise their daughter, Vanessa, in the same home.

The film utilizes a stationary camera technique, capturing events from a fixed perspective within the house’s living room. This approach aims to emphasize the passage of time and the continuity of human experiences within the same space. Additionally, digital de-aging technology is employed to portray characters across different time periods, allowing actors like Hanks and Wright to represent their roles over several decades.

Despite its innovative concept and the reunion of the “Forrest Gump” team, including Zemeckis, Hanks, Wright, screenwriter Eric Roth, and composer Alan Silvestri, “Here” received mixed reviews. Critics pointed out that while the film’s premise was intriguing, its execution lacked depth. The stationary camera work and the extensive use of digital de-aging technology were seen as detracting elements, with performances described as stiff and overly dramatized. The film’s attempt to encapsulate profound themes across time was perceived as cloying, resulting in a narrative that felt more like a prolonged sentimental advertisement than a compelling story.

Here endeavors to explore the ephemeral nature of human existence through the lens of a single location over countless generations. While its artistic ambitions are noteworthy, the film’s reliance on technical gimmicks and a lack of engaging storytelling led to a lukewarm reception from audiences and critics alike.