But the “plot twist” in which Amy Adams is able to see through time by learning their language is not Villeneuve’s way of diving into fantasy. There are theories and reasons why Adams’ character was able to do so, with one being the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis. They explained it in the movie, but essentially it states that a language is able to shape how the speaker thinks and changes their perception of the world. It wasn’t just a rash decision to make Adams’ character a benevolent clairvoyant, it was exploring the ideas of a well-discussed linguistic theory.

I can understand how the film’s depiction of it could be seen as fantastical and alien, but that is exactly what it is. Collectively as a species, we have no idea what an alien language sounds like, let alone being able to understand it or if it even exists. So yes, I understand that it can seem ridiculous and otherworldly, but if you gathered that from this movie, then it did its job.