To See or Not to See: Equals

Drake Doremus’ Equals was the talk of the Tribeca Film Festival, which opened in select theaters and On Demand (Amazon, iTunes) this week. The sleek and absorbing sci-fi romance stars Kristen Stewart and Nicholas Hoult. Their characters, Nia and Silas, live in a futuristic society known as “The Collective.” It’s a utopian world where crime and violence have been eliminated by eradicating all human emotions. But, within the community, there are those who feel and begin to experience genuine human connections. “The Collective” sees these individuals as a threat to their society. So, when Nia and Silas begin developing an attraction to each other, they must decide whether their love is worth risking it all.

Equals excels with its subtlety and minimalistic approach—producing a film that’s visually stunning. And, the futuristic score is a surprising highlight. It plays a key part in the film’s climactic moments, which normally would go unnoticed by me. But, with Equals, I couldn’t help but soak it in.

This is the first film I’ve seen directed by Drake Doremus and it will not be the last. He brings the best out of his cast particularly the leads. Kristen Stewart has come a long way from the franchise that made her a household name. And, Nicholas Hoult proves again that he’s a leading man. Their chemistry is undeniable and their performances are gut-wrenching. Audiences should pay close attention to the little nuances that Hoult and Stewart bring as their characters begin to explore their relationship. In the film, we’re witnessing Nicholas Hoult’s character discovering emotions like anger, fear, frustration, happiness, and love for the first time and it feels authentic.

Equals is a film about human relationships and one that will leave a lasting impression even after the closing credits.

★ ★ ★ out of 4

 

Photo Credit: Jessica Forde/A24