EQUALS Trailer
Equals feels so familiar because its setup has been in heavy use since the post-World War I era of science fiction. A totalitarian government that controls people’s emotions? That’s Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, George Lucas’s THX 1138, Kurt Wimmer’s Equilibrium, and a litany of other stories far too vast to name off.
The premise stays, I assume, because so much of what the early writers were dreaming up has come true. We now have drugs that control people’s emotions, ones that are intended to stabilize depression and anxiety but often leave users feeling unnervingly flat. People must decide if they prefer life with or without the drugs, and many people choose to go without.
So it’s natural that we keep get movies like Equals, which broaches these concerns and many others that fester due the ever-advancing nature of science. The originality of their concept isn’t really the point. It’s all an exercise in allegory, and if the filmmakers nail their central concept, then the project is a success.
No, my concern for Equals isn’t its originality. I’m the kind of science fiction fan that will eat up this concept and style no matter how many times it’s served. My concern is that the story feels slight, that the allegory behind it will be too simple to sustain a feature-length film. A love story is great and all, but Equals will need other stakes to make the lover’s dilemma seem difficult.
Still, there’s something I like about the pairing of Kristen Stewart and Nicholas Hoult. Perhaps it’s just that he’s in my favorite super hero franchise and she’s been making interesting choices of late, but whatever the reason, I wouldn’t mind watching the two of them fall in love. I just hope Equals has a bit more behind their romance.
Equals is directed by Drake Doremus and stars Kristen Stewart, Nicholas Hoult, and Guy Pearce. It will be released in the U.S. on VOD (DirecTV only) on May 26th, 2016 and theatrically July 15th, 2016. For international release dates, click here.
Do you think Equals will keep its premise small or take on some larger issues? Let us know in the comments!
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