Captive State

Focus Features | Release Date: March 15, 2019

5.5	USER SCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 86 Ratings

USER RATING DISTRIBUTION

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Watch Now

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Review this movie

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Please sign in or create an account before writing a review.

Check box if your review contains spoilers

0 characters (5000 max)

User Reviews

User score By date Most helpful

Aladdin718Dec 15, 2019

Really good. I don’t want to spoil anything, so I’ll leave it at that. I highly recommend it.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

All this user's reviews

AWESOM-0Mar 18, 2020

A much better movie than given credit for. There is so much that is very good but so much that is incomplete and rushed. Still, because it’s better and smarter than a lot of crap that’s out there I give it an 8.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

All this user's reviews

JackusBlackusApr 12, 2019

This is a good movie. It has a broad mix of sci-fi, mystery, suspense, action, and clever twists. It is not an action movie or a CGI-fest. Don't go in expecting super-heroes, spectacular explosions, choreographed battles or thrilling chaseThis is a good movie. It has a broad mix of sci-fi, mystery, suspense, action, and clever twists. It is not an action movie or a CGI-fest. Don't go in expecting super-heroes, spectacular explosions, choreographed battles or thrilling chase scenes.

This is a thought-provoking story about a dystopian future when humans live under the subjugation of aliens. Think of the French Resistance operating in the shadows of the German occupation during World War II.

The movie focuses on the life of a person who is working to escape to the wilderness. He has minor interactions with the rebels in the beginning, but unknowingly becomes an important part of their plan.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

All this user's reviews

katafragMay 30, 2019

A well-intentioned alien invasion story riddled with relevant but all too obvious and heavy-handed sociopolitical symbolism. In a film that's part "War of the Worlds," part "District 9" and part "Divergent," along with other all-too-familiarA well-intentioned alien invasion story riddled with relevant but all too obvious and heavy-handed sociopolitical symbolism. In a film that's part "War of the Worlds," part "District 9" and part "Divergent," along with other all-too-familiar sci-fi allusions thrown in. we're handed a story that's a little too crammed with ideas, characters, technologies and events to adequately keep track of things given the blistering pace of the story (a quality that, ironically, makes the picture somewhat tedious to watch). This could have been a lot better with some retooling -- and maybe a few more drafts of the screenplay.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

All this user's reviews

LamontRaymondMar 19, 2019

One hell of a movie! I'm a little shocked that the critics weren't more on board with this one. Elegantly-told, it feels like 3 slow-moving seasons of USA's "Colony" supercharged into a bite-sized two hour chunk. Love the story, the effectsOne hell of a movie! I'm a little shocked that the critics weren't more on board with this one. Elegantly-told, it feels like 3 slow-moving seasons of USA's "Colony" supercharged into a bite-sized two hour chunk. Love the story, the effects are incredible, and the acting is perfect - not at all over done like so many sci-fi films of its ilk.… Expand

6 of 10 users found this helpful64

All this user's reviews

shpostalMar 16, 2019

Usually when a movie is released without much fanfare and a lack of critic reviews, it's a sign of a stinker. However, despite some negative reviews, "Captive State" is anything but a stinker. We get tired sure of dystopianUsually when a movie is released without much fanfare and a lack of critic reviews, it's a sign of a stinker. However, despite some negative reviews, "Captive State" is anything but a stinker. We get tired sure of dystopian futuristic societies, and alien movies any more are almost as abundant as super hero movies. It's admittedly a tempting subject to portray an alien civilization however the studio wants, either ugly and benevolent, cutesy, or pure malevolent evil. This movie doesn't show too much of the aliens who have made humans on earth their subjects, but it's much more a believable pitch on the order of "District 9" as opposed to the insultingly stupid "Independence Day" films. We are made to draw conclusions, only to have them proven wrong. The pace is riveting and the film centers around two types of the captive world population: thoroughly ass kissing and pandering, including corrupt law enforcement in Chicago where this story takes place who take their orders from the "legislators", aka the hideous aliens, and brave people who are determined to fight back against both the aliens and the humans who choose a fate as captives, involving turncoats and spies everywhere, making the main thrust of the movie, an attack against their captors and people unwilling to rise up to regain their planet back. John Goodman is a great actor - totally believable and an ultimately sympathetic character. If there is one minor gripe, it's the short role by Vera Farmiga, one of the best actresses out there. Her talent is not utilized to its potential, but even the small role she plays is a critical one. Most of any possible plot loopholes are closed up in the final part of the movie, and the dramatic feel is top notch for a movie of this genre. Those panning "Captive State" are frankly, unfair. The pace doesn't allow for the massive "character development" they ask for. Then again, none is really needed that doesn't already present itself. The film is articulate, dynamic and nothing of the confusing or disappointing descriptions some reviewers have determined it to be. Just pay close attention.… Expand

6 of 10 users found this helpful64

All this user's reviews

NobodyYouKnowMar 15, 2019

Excellent, tense sci-fi thriller. The best sci-fi, IMO, is allegorical as Captive State certainly is. The alien invasion could just as well be, say, the Nazis occupying Poland, but the suspense is enhanced by the mysteriousness of the aliensExcellent, tense sci-fi thriller. The best sci-fi, IMO, is allegorical as Captive State certainly is. The alien invasion could just as well be, say, the Nazis occupying Poland, but the suspense is enhanced by the mysteriousness of the aliens -- the unknown is always more frightening. The tension starts within minutes of the movie's beginning, and it slowly escalates over the next 1.5 hours till a climactic scene (which I won't divulge); things subsequently calm down in what seems a sort of epilogue... until there's a surprise (which I won't divulge :-) ). The direction style felt a lot like District 9.

I understand some of the criticism about character development, but it's not really a character-driven story. It's about the human desire for freedom and the lengths to which some people will go to obtain that freedom. It's conceptually similar to the tv series Colony: people make choices about the kind of life they want to live and whether it's worth giving up that life for a greater good. It's certainly not surprising to know that some people will always choose to fight for freedom, and we go into Captive State knowing this, but we can still enjoy the ride.

The movie doesn't spell everything out for you, which I appreciate, but some might find it frustrating at certain moments where you have to fill in the blanks. It's an intelligent thriller with excellent performances (wish Vera Farmiga were featured more) and an ending which most will find satisfying.… Expand

6 of 10 users found this helpful64

All this user's reviews

HealingToolboxAug 16, 2019

I'm with the Variety review rated 90. I'm also with the reviews who say it's a mess and very likely was a nightmare to edit. Still, John Goodman holds the thing together masterfully. The title is useless. The real title is Endgame, whereI'm with the Variety review rated 90. I'm also with the reviews who say it's a mess and very likely was a nightmare to edit. Still, John Goodman holds the thing together masterfully. The title is useless. The real title is Endgame, where one game is played and then the endgame reveals itself. This pays off handsomely in the third act. Up to then tho too hard to identify with anyone. What I suspect is this movie was not story boarded nor pre-vized end to end. If it had been, the messiness would have been greatly reduced. It's problems are not lack of talent or good ideas. It's problems are messy cinematic storytelling. I also do honor this director's Planet of the Apes contribution.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

All this user's reviews

ohnomrbillMar 15, 2019

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. a brilliant movie! a whirlwind of scifi suggestion. turn off your mind and watch with instinct. it is refreshing and original, i did not get bored once. special effects are minimal yet the story carries the reader across the finish line and does it with the idea that less is best, and it works so well!… Expand

4 of 13 users found this helpful49

All this user's reviews

AvgassJul 12, 2021

Seriously underrated sci fi. Found it enthralling til the end and wish there was a sequel