ABC Film Challenge – Sci-Fi – W – Captive State (2019)
This is under W because of Rupert Wyatt.
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Writer: Rupert Wyatt, Erica Beeney (Screenplay)
Starring: John Goodman, Ashton Sanders, Jonathan Majors, Vera Farmiga, Kevin Dunn, James Ransone, Alan Ruck, Madeline Brewer
Plot: Set in a Chicago neighborhood nearly a decade after an occupation by an extraterrestrial force, ‘Captive State’ explores the lives on both sides of the conflict – the collaborators and dissidents.
Tagline – Ten years ago, they took our planet. Today, we take it back.
Runtime: 1 Hour 49 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Story: Captive State starts in a world that has been conquered by aliens, leaving the survivors struggling through each day. The authorities including Detective William Mulligan (Goodman) believe the resistance are going to look to have another fight back. Leading to Gabriel Drummond (Sanders) reuniting with his lost brother Rafe (Majors) who led the last great attack.
As the resistance is preparing their final play to save humanity. We see the secretive world created and how they look to make a major difference in the world. Freeing humanity once and for all, though Mulligan will do what he can to stop him.
Thoughts on Captive State
Captive State takes us into a world where the aliens have conquered Earth, in a time of peace where they control the world. The humans needing to follow their rules, with a resistance that wants to fight back for their freedom. This is a style of film we have seen before, only played out more in the vein of a political play to regain power. Showing us the slow planning for an attack mission which could bring the freedom they desire.
It is a film that seemed to get delayed forever in the UK. One I wanted to watch since the first trailer and I can say I did enjoy it. The concept being fresh to the world we have seen before. I liked the idea that we could see the careful planning, instead of it being a quick reaction military fight back.
The performances are strong with John Goodman being just as captivating as always. Ashton Sanders and Jonathan Majors both shining in the leading roles. Each moment they get to give a key decision to the bigger picture. The alien creations, while limited, do seem to have an original concept design for the first ones we see. One that would be terrifying to encounter, with their weapon being just as deadly.
This will play heavily into the ideas of humans needing to have learnt from history to survive. With each plan being borrowed from the great successes of human history.
Final Thoughts – Captive State is a captivating thriller that holds away from the big action to bring us a calm approach to revenge.