Equals (2016) #Review #Movies #SciFi #Utopian #Romance #KristenStewart #NicholasHoult

Movie Review

A fantastic concept that unfortunately falls as flat as Kristen Stewart’s hair.

Equals (Release Date: May 2016)

In an emotionless utopia, two people fall in love when they regain their feelings from a mysterious disease, causing tensions between them and their society.

Starring: Nicholas Hoult, Kristen Stewart, and Guy Pearce

Director: Drake Doremus

Rating/ Runtime: PG-13/ 1 hr 41

My Thoughts…

Okay, I’ll just say it! I am not a fan of Kristen Stewart! I don’t understand the appeal and I find her lacking the chops needed to be a successful actor. Especially in character driven films like this one.

I do however, think Nicholas Hoult is wonderful! I have liked him since I first saw him in “About a Boy” when he was a small, but seriously talented little boy. Which is why I decided to give this movie a chance. That, and the concept is fantastic!

Alas, a film having a creative and thoughtful concept does not mean it will be realized on-screen. Very unfortunate, because all the ingredients are there but the finished product falls flat.

Here’s what does work; Fabulous script, wonderful cast (excluding Stewart), and thoroughly original plot.

The idea of a “perfect” utopian society based on human beings having their emotions, feelings, and senses dampened at a genetic level, is fascinating. You can see how it might actually work, seeing as that as a species, we are completely ruled by our emotions. Of course, love, impulse and attraction are also “turned of”. As you can imagine, that would be incredibly dull and lonely. But that’s the point. People don’t know they are lonely.

That brings us to the main plot. There is an epidemic spreading that turns everything back on. Our two main characters are affected by this “disease” and they fall in love. At first, their symptoms signify the end for them. But then, they explore these new feelings and go with the flow so to speak.

Like I said, this movie should have been a slam dunk for me but my dislike for Stewart amongst a few other things, ruined it for me.

I will say, it does make you think and I think it’s worth a watch. It’s on Netflix so you won’t spend a dime (provided you have the service) if you want to check it out!