In the Movie Arrival: The Aliens' Desire and Louise's Dilemma

The intriguing movie Arrival explores the deep-seated intentions of the Heptapods, a race of alien beings who visit Earth with the aim of sharing their profound knowledge and technology. Their primary goal is to prepare humanity for an impending crisis, which they refer to as an event that will endanger the existence of Earth.

The Uniqueness of the Alien Language

The central concept of the film Arrival is the stark difference between how the aliens and humans process information. The Heptapod language does not distinguish between past, present, and future; rather, it perceives them as simultaneous and interconnected. This linguistic peculiarity has a profound psychological impact on humans who learn their language. Their brains become attuned to a non-linear perception of time, enabling them to make decisions based on a more holistic understanding of consequences. Consequently, the aliens can adapt their actions in real-time, ensuring a desired future.

This ability contrasts starkly with human logic, where past, present, and future are distinct and fixed. The Heptapods can see the outcomes of their actions and adjust accordingly, making them unfettered by the butterfly effect—where small changes in the present can significantly affect the future (or vice versa). This is a pivotal aspect of their intervention on Earth.

Louise's Mission and the Conundrum

Deeply influenced by the Heptapods, Louise Banks, a linguist, learns their language and uses their knowledge of the future to guide humanity towards a more peaceful and secure path. However, Louise's personal story becomes intertwined with the larger narrative, making her a subject of intense emotional turmoil. She discovers that her life is scripted with specific events, including falling in love, having a daughter, and the ultimate tragedy of losing her daughter to cancer.

Louise is faced with a monstrous dilemma: altering the future and erasing her daughter's existence to avoid her suffering or accepting her daughter's painful reality. This choice highlights the ethical complexities of changing the timeline and the emotional bonds that cannot be easily severed.

For some, the decision to alter the future seems humane and compassionate, as it could alleviate the pain of losing a beloved child. However, Louise recognizes that true joy and sorrow are interconnected in the human experience. By staying true to the course, she acknowledges that her daughter's brief existence carries its own significance and value.

Conclusion and Reflection

In the end, Louise chooses to maintain the path ahead, valuing the lives of the humans she has yet to meet. Her decision underscores the complexity of human emotions and the indelible impact of life's fleeting moments.

The film Arrival leaves the audience to ponder the non-linear perception of time, the ethics of altering the future, and the profound emotional bonds that shape our lives. These themes make Arrival a thought-provoking exploration of humanity's role in the cosmos.