Equals

Name: Equals
Genre: Sci-Fi, Drama, Romance
Released: July 15, 2016
Duration: 101 min
Rating: 43
Cast: Kristen Stewart, Nicholas Hoult

2016

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Mixed or average reviews based on 27 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 60 Ratings

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6.4

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6.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 60 Ratings

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Equals

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Movie Details & Credits

A24 | Release Date: July 15, 2016 | Not Rated

Starring: Kristen Stewart, Nicholas Hoult

Summary: Nia and Silas (Kristen Stewart and Nicholas Hoult) work together in a futuristic society known as “The Collective.” A seemingly utopian world, “The Collective” has ended crime and violence by genetically eliminating all human emotions. Despite this, Nia and Silas can’t help noticing a growing attraction between them, leading them to aNia and Silas (Kristen Stewart and Nicholas Hoult) work together in a futuristic society known as “The Collective.” A seemingly utopian world, “The Collective” has ended crime and violence by genetically eliminating all human emotions. Despite this, Nia and Silas can’t help noticing a growing attraction between them, leading them to a forbidden relationship—at first tentative, but then exploding into a passionate romance. As suspicion begins to mount among their superiors, the couple will be forced to choose between going back to the safety of the lives they have always known, or risk it all to try and pull off a daring escape. [A24]… Expand

Director: Drake Doremus

Genre(s): Sci-Fi, Drama, Romance

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 101 min

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Critic Reviews

Rex Reed

Jul 13, 2016

All told, Equals is a feast for the eye that leaves you with a troubling contemplation of the future. Read full review

Jesse Hassenger

Jul 13, 2016

Equals brings Stewart’s charisma back to a genre framework — though its form of low-key science fiction is no longer the kind of genre material that actually gets wide exposure. Read full review

Kyle Smith

Jul 14, 2016

Doremus can’t quite make the emotional breakthroughs rewarding enough to justify the slow buildup, but the icy beauty of the film makes it worth watching. Read full review

Peter Debruge

Sep 12, 2015

From Doremus’ side of things, it can’t be easy to depict something as subtle as “intermittent feeling” or “increased sensitivity,” though the helmer does a fine job of laying the groundwork for the attraction blooming between Silas and Nia — boosted by the resonant collection of electronic tones and chimes that constitute Equals’ futuristic score. Read full review

Justin Chang

Jul 14, 2016

Equals walls itself off from the suspense implicit in its scenario — it’s practically an anti-thriller — and barely flickers to life as a tale of forbidden desire. Read full review

Jonathan Romney

Sep 12, 2015

Equals just about passes muster as a solid vignette of love against the odds, but when it comes to futurism, its vision is dustily archaic. Read full review

Ed Gonzalez

May 10, 2016

The Drake Doremus film all comes down, simplistically and repeatedly, to “feelings make us feel alive.” Read full review

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User Reviews

MariaBennett

Oct 14, 2016

Contrary to the initial perception the movie ‘Equals’ is not another take at ‘Equilibrium’ or Orwell's' 1984. Equals made me think about Stewart Hameroff and Sir Roger Penrose’s work or social scientists such as Alexander Wendt. The movie touches at the core philosophical questions about theContrary to the initial perception the movie ‘Equals’ is not another take at ‘Equilibrium’ or Orwell's' 1984. Equals made me think about Stewart Hameroff and Sir Roger Penrose’s work or social scientists such as Alexander Wendt. The movie touches at the core philosophical questions about the Mind-Body problem and consciousnesses. Is there a difference between knowing about something and actually experiencing it? I think it takes a specific type of audience to appreciate this movie.… Expand

3 of 6 users found this helpful33

Hank_Chinaski

Mar 27, 2017

Hipnótica y onírica. No se puede decir más con tan poco, miradas, primeros planos, Nicholas Hoult y Kristen Stewart, sublimes. Entiendo que no es para todo el mundo pero a mi me ha fascinado. Recomiendo su visionado, no es dejéis llevar por las malas críticas.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Spangle

Oct 30, 2016

Criticized as derivative, Equals' general premise and location certainly fit that bill. Depicting a world in which there are no emotions, Equals focuses on two people who begin suffering from "switched on syndrome", which causes them to begin having emotions. These two - Silas (NicholasCriticized as derivative, Equals' general premise and location certainly fit that bill. Depicting a world in which there are no emotions, Equals focuses on two people who begin suffering from "switched on syndrome", which causes them to begin having emotions. These two - Silas (Nicholas Hoult) and Nia (Kristen Stewart) - fall in love and must try to subvert "the collective" and escape detection to contain their romance. Impeccably shot and acted, the beauty of Equals comes at the very end and is what cements it as a good film. Though initially derivative in premise, the film does not focus in on the science fiction. Rather, it is a stripped back look at forbidden love and romance and the end result is an incredibly powerful and tender, even if a touch cold, romance film.

While its story can often resemble Romeo + Juliet meets 1984, Equals rises above this simple presence to look at love rising above all challenges. However, prior to this, the film establishes a tender and moving romance with impeccable dialogue. Often told through montage by director Drake Doremus, the scenes of Silas and Nia falling in love are terrifically written. As the film visually shows various aspects of the relationship, the dialogue overlaying the visuals highlight the discovery and interest one feels when falling in love. Simple questions such as, "Have you always had these freckles?" or "What did you look like as a kid?" make this relationship really land and feel thoroughly authentic. It is in here that Equals finds much of its power and what makes its forbidden element all the more foreboding. These are two people that feel something and the world is out to make them stop feeling. Yet, what they feel is no naked and real,

However, the stellar dialogue in the beginning of their relationship is no match for the ending sequence and final shot. Having resolved to run away, it is discovered by "the collective" that Nia is pregnant. Fortunately, she and Silas had made friends in health and safety who helped get her out. However, to do so, they made it seem as though she had killed herself. What follows is a Romeo and Juliet-type situation where Silas, convinced Nia has killed herself, chooses to get the injection to cure his "disease". Yet, upon discovering that Nia is alive, the film really hits its high note when Silas begs Nia not to give up on him. He still loves her and, in spite of the injections, will try to fight back and show it, while still following through on running away. This leads up to the final shot of the film in which Silas slowly puts his hand on Nia's. A largely open-ended ending, as we do not know what will happen to them once they reach the "peninsula" - a place allegedly inhabited by primitives - but still it reveals enough about the true point of the film: the romance. No matter the future challenges, this couple is dedicated to one another and will attempt to overcome these challenges. At the very center, is a mutual love for one another, even if both are not capable of demonstrating it, which is a truly beautiful conclusion to the film.

Coated in blues and drab whites throughout the film, Doremus graces the film with occasional bursts of orange saved for moments when our two protagonists look longingly at one another. The implication is clear, yet visually, the impact is tremendous. The color scheme is honestly beautiful to look at and highlights the depression, isolation, and loneliness experienced before emotions in the film, as compared to the constant pulse of emotion once Nia and Silas have found one another. As for the acting, Hoult and Stewart are astounding. Not only is their chemistry electric, but their passion and clear love when talking to one another is all the more powerful due to their commitment and delivery.

A film that rides of aesthetic, Equals is a derivative science fiction film, but it is not a science fiction film. Rather, it is a romance set in a dystopian world and its romance is anything but cliche. Instead, it is raw, powerful, and impassioned, which lifts the film above any of its major faults such as the pacing.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

goncalocouto

Oct 20, 2018

"Equals" começou com bem, mas depois não passou de mais um cliché romântico.
4/10

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

JonZsu

Jul 20, 2016

What a shame that Equals actually started with a strong idea which put the discussion of a humane concept of romance into a futuristic world that lacks the awareness of emotions, just like the what the masterpiece Her(2013) established on. However, the script missed the chance of beingWhat a shame that Equals actually started with a strong idea which put the discussion of a humane concept of romance into a futuristic world that lacks the awareness of emotions, just like the what the masterpiece Her(2013) established on. However, the script missed the chance of being original and remarkable by chewing on the old "love wins all" that are flavorless, with the overuse of slow shots that are lazy and torturing.… Expand

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

mohamad91hk

Sep 2, 2016

it was not a touching romance story, and the way how Nicholas fall in love with Kristen was stupid and silly, the idea was the Same idea of "the giver" about emotionless community, so nothing new in the overall story, it was boring and predictable, save your time and skip it

P.S. sorryit was not a touching romance story, and the way how Nicholas fall in love with Kristen was stupid and silly, the idea was the Same idea of "the giver" about emotionless community, so nothing new in the overall story, it was boring and predictable, save your time and skip it

P.S. sorry for my poor language… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Broyax

Nov 15, 2019

Mélange de 1984 et de Gattaca, on dirait un film taillé entièrement sur mesure pour la molle Stewart dont le regard bovin suffit à provoquer l'endormissement ; son alter ego masculin (un cave récupéré ici à la va-vite) lui sert de réplique et lui sert les répliques tout droit sorties d'unMélange de 1984 et de Gattaca, on dirait un film taillé entièrement sur mesure pour la molle Stewart dont le regard bovin suffit à provoquer l'endormissement ; son alter ego masculin (un cave récupéré ici à la va-vite) lui sert de réplique et lui sert les répliques tout droit sorties d'un roman Harlequin.

C'est bête à manger des petites fleurs (des marguerites je crois) et la perspective de ce monde lisse, polissé et policé, ainsi que parfait idéal communiste (la Chine en rêve) ne fait pas long feu : il se craquèle de partout, passé le premier petit quart d'heure sous la guimauve qui envahit tout jusqu'à la fin.

La réalisation est aussi tarte que le reste et barbote dans sa mare, comme des canards sous Prozac.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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