Equals

Stars: Kristen Stewart, Nicholas Hoult, Guy Pearce, Jacki Weaver, Bel Powley

Director: Drake Doremus

There are echoes of Logan's Run in this rather slow and solemn look at a 'utopian' society, from which all traces of emotion have been eradicated. All, that is, apart from a handful of 'SOSs', in whom the gene that controls feelings can be awakened.

These become outcasts who are offered a painless death if they are unable to 'recover'. When one commits suicide, the tragedy brings together two latent SOSs played by Stewart and Hoult, who do their best to elevate the piece onto the realms of classic romance.

Director Doremus, who made the innovative Like Crazy, has more difficulty here carrying us along with the central love story, with the cool personalities of the leading actors not helping. But, all in all, it's an interesting entry in a much-neglected genre. One thing's for sure: you'll want to know what happens at the end.

David Quinlan

USA 2015. UK Distributor: Icon. Colour by deluxe.
97 minutes. Not widescreen. UK certificate: 12.

Guidance ratings (out of 3): Sex/nudity 1, Violence/Horror 1, Drugs 0, Swearing 1.

Review date: 04 Oct 2016

DVD review