Last month Amazon's sci-fi psychological thriller Foe began filming in Victoria.

In Vitro is another Aussie sci-fi farm film and has finished filming in rural New South Wales.

It stars ozzies Ashley Zukerman, Talia Zucker and Will Howarth and its synopsis shares similarities with Foe's:

Layla and her husband Jack live on an isolated cattle property hundreds of miles from the nearest neighbour. With their son away at boarding school, Jack spends his days tending to the livestock and experimenting with new biotechnology, Layla pines for her son and the life she once had. One night, everything changes when Layla inadvertently causes a blackout across the property. The perimeter fence loses power and they soon discover that something unknown has has sneaked onto the farm. But as Layla discovers more about the mysterious presence and Jack’s behaviour becomes increasingly controlling, Layla finally uncovers a secret that brings her face to face with the reality of her relationship with Jack and their life on the ranch.

Apart from the obvious farm setting, it's an isolated couple with a lost son, a newcomer and while this one doesn't mention the mother making a life-changing decision, uncovering a secret and facing the reality of her life could put her in that position.

In Vitro's title and talk of biotech experimentation might suggest that this father has cloned or is attempting to clone their lost son.

Foe's loss is different - the son is selected for a prestigious away from home program - but they say that "familiar company" is left in his place.

Possibly a clone but more likely an android.

Either way the newcomer in both films might be a replacement son.

[ Main Image: Ashley Zukerman in Terra Nova. Credit: Fox via IMDb.com. ]

References

Screen Australia. In Vitro 2022. Australian Government. (viewed March 3, 2022)

Wiseman, Andreas (March 2, 2022). ‘Succession’ & ‘The Lost Symbol’s Ashley Zukerman Leads Australian Sci-Fi Movie ‘In Vitro’. Deadline.