Amy Adams newest movie "Arrival" offers more than the typical alien movie -- it tackles philosophical questions that push its main character to re-examine her life. The movie is directed by Quebec-born Denis Villeneuve, who is known for his slow-paced but heavily laden movies like "Prisoners" and "Sicario."

Twelve monolithic spaceships arrived on Earth in different countries and in far flung locations in Sudan, Russia, China and America. Amy Adams plays a highly esteemed linguist, Dr. Louise Banks, who was commissioned by the government to translate the language of the aliens.

The spaceships open its doors every 18 hours and emissaries from the different countries will have the chance to make contact and determine the motive of the alien's visit. Adams is joined by fellow scientist Ian Donnelly played by Jeremy Renner.

Adams and Donnelly have to work together despite their different views on the matter and on life in general. The two scientists are supervised by an army colonel played by Forest Whitaker who is more intent on preventing what many nations fear, an alien invasion.The colonel fears that the aliens are on Earth for more than data gathering.

As Banks attempt to unravel the mystery posed by the presence of the aliens, the movie shows her sick and dying daughter. Here Adams shows her depth as an actress, captivating the audience despite the tedious process of unraveling her character based on the review by City Pages.

Banks' breakthrough with the aliens is as simple as writing the word "human" in a whiteboard while pointing to herself. This is when the "heptapods" as the scientists call them because of their seven tentacles, respond by drawing an image on the glass that separates the two species.

For many critics, the movie's primary attribute is in showing how humans behave in the presence of fear and how they deal with it. The aliens' challenge is for the world to learn to cooperate or risk not knowing what the aliens came for, whether they come in peace or not according to Rolling Stone.

Moreover, Adams as Banks makes a powerful and riveting performance. Her role might earn the versatile actress an Oscar nomination.

Villeneuve's "Arrival" delves into the character's story with a masterful script by Eric Heisserer. The story of the movie "Arrival" is based on the 1998 novel "Story of Your Life" by Ted Chiang. The movie opens tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 11.