Equals

A24 | Release Date: July 15, 2016

6.4	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 60 Ratings

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mohamad91hkSep 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 andit 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

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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qamasterSep 3, 2016

Far-fetched ridiculous nonsense. Control emotions? Who needs it? This nonsense I've seen in some other no less stupid movie. The protagonist of the whole movie goes with his mouth open and all the time is eating or drinking something. A lotFar-fetched ridiculous nonsense. Control emotions? Who needs it? This nonsense I've seen in some other no less stupid movie. The protagonist of the whole movie goes with his mouth open and all the time is eating or drinking something. A lot of big eyes. many mouths closeup. many scenes in the shower - that's the whole movie… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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TheMetacritiqerAug 30, 2016

I saw it for the hot Kristen Stewart but was even disappointed in the use of her. Very boring and shallow movie. The point of the movie clearly wasn't to make money but show off filming art. But this copied style of filmaking is best sceneI saw it for the hot Kristen Stewart but was even disappointed in the use of her. Very boring and shallow movie. The point of the movie clearly wasn't to make money but show off filming art. But this copied style of filmaking is best scene from the best versions of it. Minimalism doesn't make it profound. Unless it's The Rover which is A24's best movie.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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hornysoulSep 22, 2018

Este foi um filme estranho que aborda grandes ideias. Ideias essas que são executadas corretamente em alguns momentos e, miseravelmente, em outros. O desempenho de Nicholas Hoult e Kristen Stewart foi bom. O filme é esteticamente muito bonitoEste foi um filme estranho que aborda grandes ideias. Ideias essas que são executadas corretamente em alguns momentos e, miseravelmente, em outros. O desempenho de Nicholas Hoult e Kristen Stewart foi bom. O filme é esteticamente muito bonito e foi dirigido razoavelmente bem.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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MariaBennettOct 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 movieContrary 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 7 users found this helpful34

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JonZsuJul 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.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 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

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smiyamotSep 16, 2016

It started out as a remake of THX1138, but it was different. This story was more explanatory and it gave hope of a possible future. The twists at the end were unnecessary, I thought we were going to have Romeo and Juliet, but I liked theIt started out as a remake of THX1138, but it was different. This story was more explanatory and it gave hope of a possible future. The twists at the end were unnecessary, I thought we were going to have Romeo and Juliet, but I liked the ambiguous ending, the movie ends and we don't know how the story ends.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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SpangleOct 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 beginCriticized 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

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badgerryan19May 19, 2017

This was a odd movie. It tackles big ideas and it succeeds in some and fails in others. The performance by Nicholas Hoult was good and Kristen Stewart as well.The movie is aesthetically very beautiful and directed very well at times. But IThis was a odd movie. It tackles big ideas and it succeeds in some and fails in others. The performance by Nicholas Hoult was good and Kristen Stewart as well.The movie is aesthetically very beautiful and directed very well at times. But I did at times liked the movie. The huge ideas ultimately is its downfall and becomes rather predictable.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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BroyaxNov 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 etMélange 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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Hank_ChinaskiMar 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 porHipnótica 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.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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goncalocoutoOct 20, 2018

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

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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hyunwest123Jun 19, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The end was not definitive enough for me. I hate movies that leave an open-ended ending. It broke my heart to think about what it would mean if Silas could no longer feel no emotions, and how difficult it would be for Nia. And she was pregnant too, and bearing the feelings of fear and loneliness that Silas can no longer feel, completely alone in a sense. The movie does leave room for hope that Silas will overcome the effects of the cure and still feel emotion after all, but I just hated how the movie stressed me out with its open-ended finish.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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