Today’s quick review: Equals. In a future where most of humanity has died to nuclear war, the survivors live in a cold utopia where emotion has all but been expunged. Silas (Nicholas Hoult) has his ordinary routine shattered when he’s diagnosed with an irreversible medical condition that reawakens his emotions. Trying to cope with feeling for the first time, Silas finds himself nurturing a forbidden love for his coworker Nia (Kristen Stewart).
Equals is a science fiction romance about a world without emotion. The clean design and strict professionalism of Silas’ future belie the fact that its inhabitants are missing something vital to their humanity. Equals chronicles the secretive romance between Silas and Nia and their attempt to find a place in a world that rejects them. The movie’s solid fundamentals and serviceable premise are held back by a predictable story without much to say.
Equals’ main issue is that it is retreading old ground. The premise of a world without emotion is not a new one for the science fiction genre, and Equals does not really add anything new to it. Silas’ awakening, his romance with Nia, and their search for a safe way to continue their relationship are all good fodder for drama. But the movie never uses them to build to anything larger, be it an extra twist or a deeper layer of speculation.
Equals does get the basics right, and that’s enough to make it a satisfying watch. The world it portrays is nicely detailed, and unlike other fictional dystopias, it has its positives as well as its negatives. There’s no single villain to fight, or even a large amount of cruelty, just a culture where emotion is utterly foreign. The story plays out well, the soft camerawork is a good tonal fit, and the leads do a fine job with their material.
Equals is a soundly constructed movie that’s missing the passion and creativity needed to truly captivate its audiences. Fans of science fiction will get some value of the world it creates, but the same points have been made elsewhere with more style. Fans of romance may enjoy its story, but, again, there are tales of forbidden love that have more of an impact. Those curious should give Equals a shot; those looking for something new may want to pass.
For teen science fiction with a similar premise, try The Giver. For a more action-packed visit to an emotionless future, try Equilibrium. For a more inventive tale of forbidden love, try Upside Down. For a more dramatically potent tale of social conformity and hidden romance, try Gattaca. For a classic thriller set in a similarly shining dystopian future, try Logan’s Run.
6.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for fine craftsmanship undermined by a lack of innovation.