Title: Captive State
Reviewed By: Jeremy Zentner, Adult Services Assistant
Genre: Film (Science fiction)
Suggested Age: Adults
What is this film about? Aliens have invaded earth. The “Legislators” quickly took control of the planet with their advanced technology, but their best weapon was the complacency of the human political leadership who saw the writing on the wall. Now, walled off cities are governed by the Legislators through their human collaborators while everyone else is conscripted into manual labor. Gabriel, a survivor of the initial invasion, is one of the conscripted workers, but he is also brother to a revolutionary who committed acts of heroism against the alien oppressors. Of course, these acts of heroism were considered acts of terrorism by the Legislators and human collaborators who will stop at nothing to shut down their resistance cell. Will Gabriel follow into his brother’s footsteps or will he narc against his own species to save himself in this captive state?
My Review: Captive State is unlike any alien invasion movie in science fiction. Caught somewhere between sci-fi horror, detective noir, and espionage thriller, Captive State portrays a real world beholden to the same problems as before, but also an occupied world with exasperated terrors. What I like about this film is that it’s strategically subtle in its commentary on war and occupation. The world is not the same, and yet, there are some instances that may be all too recognizable. In conjunction with this, Captive State’s cinematic originality is nothing short of mesmerizing. The science fiction mechanics depict a creepy alien species that have multiple forms and ships that look more like floating asteroids. The Legislators’ weaponry, their ships, and their surveillance technology is truly alien as it is daunting. This thriller is a mind-blowing experience.
Three Words that Describe this film: gritty, noir, thriller
Give This A Try if You Like… Blade Runner, Blade Runner 2049, Children of Men, Arrival, Prospect, Kin, District 9, Elysium, Chappie
Rating: 5/5
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