Equals (2015)

In an emotionless utopia, two people fall in love when they regain their feelings from a mysterious disease, causing tensions between them and their society.

Director:

Drake Doremus

Writers:

Nathan Parker (screenplay by), Drake Doremus (story by)

Stars:

Nicholas Hoult, Kristen Stewart, Vernetta Lopez

1 win & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nicholas Hoult	...	Silas
Vernetta Lopez	...	Woman at Turnstile
Scott Lawrence	...	Mark
Kate Lyn Sheil	...	Kate
Kristen Stewart	...	Nia
Rebecca Hazlewood	...	Zoe
Yu Hwan Park	...	Seth
Bel Powley	...	Rachel
David Selby	...	Leonard
Aurora Perrineau	...	Iris
Nathan Parker	...	David
Jessica Lois	...	Coupler Woman
Seth Adams	...	Health and Safety Guard
Dennis Shin	...	Health and Safety Guard
Guy Pearce	...	Jonas

Storyline

A futuristic love story set in a world where emotions have been eradicated.

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Plot Keywords:

sex scene | suicide | jumping from height | suicide by asphyxiation | suicide by jumping | 

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Taglines:

In the future when human is emotionless, the only crime is... love.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic content, sensuality, partial nudity and disturbing images

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA Indonesia

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 May 2016 (USA)

Also Known As:

Almas gemelas

Filming Locations:

Tokyo, Japan

Box Office

Budget:

$16,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$9,206, 17 July 2016, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$32,095, 29 July 2016

Company Credits

Production Co:

Freedom Media, Infinite Frameworks Studios, Route One Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Drake Doremus envisioned Nicholas Hoult and Kristen Stewart as the leads, but only together and if either one of them were unable to do the film, neither would be in it.

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Goofs

In the end credits, the word "newborn" is misspelled as "new born".

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Quotes

[first lines]
The Collective: [over PA] All trains leave from the lower level. The Collective runs when everybody do their part. Report suspicious activity to Health and Safety.

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Connections

Featured in The Late Show with Stephen Colbert: Nicholas Hoult/John Turturro/Bret Baier (2016)

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Soundtracks

Hold
Written by Jamison Isaak (as Jamison Dick)
Performed by Jamison Isaak (as Teen Daze)
Courtesy of Lefse Records

User Reviews

Excellent drama-- one of the best

I rate this 9 out of 10 only because the sound quality leaves much to be desired. Parts of the movie are so subdued it's difficult to understand what people are saying. I had to turn my video player to double volume just to hear the movie at low-standard volume. That cost it a point.

Other than that... without spoiling the plot, this is what Logan's Run and THX-1138 should have been. No pointless, time-wasting action, no gratuitous nudity, just sheer human emotion, drama and situation.

The directing is excellent. The acting is superb. I am very critical when it comes to films but I couldn't find a single conceptual or production flaw throughout (except for the aforementioned poor sound handling). This is an intriguing, fascinating story that leaves the viewer with mixed emotions. What would we prefer, a pristine, harm-free society in which emotion is subdued, or one full of emotion, beauty... and the pain brought about by those emotions?

This film both answers and refuses to answer that question. It presents a story, leaving us to determine which we would prefer. The story is well-crafted, has enough twist to surprise, and an ending that satisfies without preaching.

This is one of the best films I've ever seen in this genre. Yes, it is slow, has little or no action, no blood, gore, gratuitous sex or other things on which today's society seems to thrive. In short-- this is story telling, directing, acting and movie-making at its finest for those minds who are more interested in humanity than car chases.

Highly recommended.