Arrival currently beats Incendies 55–45
The humane film pulls ahead on feeling.
Who do you think should win?
The Verdict Director's Cut
When Arrival leads, it's the humane film winning on feeling. Villeneuve takes the same puzzle-box structure that made Incendies devastating and points it at something tender — Amy Adams listening her way into an impossible language, the heptapods behind the glass, a hush that turns scientific work into suspense. Incendies is the fiercer, more punishing film, and for some that's the draw. A modest edge to Arrival says a viewer wanted the architecture with a heartbeat in it, the version that leaves you moved rather than flattened. Both films end by rearranging what came before. Only one of them puts an arm around you while it does it.
The Numbers
| Incendies | Arrival | |
|---|---|---|
| Head-to-Head | 45% | 55% |
| Overall Win Rate | 16% | 58% |
| Championships | 51 | 241 |
| Avg Decision | 2.7s | 3.3s |
| Budget | $7M | $47M |
| Box Office | $7M | $203M |
Where This Matchup Sits
Out of 105 Drama films on the platform, Incendies languishing near the bottom and Arrival is in the top quarter.
Within Denis Villeneuve's filmography on the platform, Arrival at #3 and Incendies at #7 out of 8.
Elsewhere on the platform, they have a common problem — Dune: Part Two beats both of them. Whatever else separates these two films, they share that one loss.
Critical reception (Incendies at 8.1) and bracket instinct (Arrival winning head-to-head) are pulling in opposite directions here.
Arrival cost $47M to make and grossed $203M. Incendies was made for $7M and earned $7M. The commercial gap carries over — Arrival wins the head-to-head too.
Where to Watch
Availability may vary by region.
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