HUMANE (2024) REVIEW

 

Caitlin Cronenberg's maiden voyage into directing, "Humane," adds a twig to the family tree, straying from the visceral horror of her predecessors to explore a critical dystopia. If you're expecting body horror, well, ready yourself for a different kind of terror: the fear of unconvincing characters making questionable decisions against a backdrop of forced euthanasia.

Sparaga's script plants a seed of promise, envisioning a world grappling with climate change and overcrowding resorting to mandatory euthanasia. But alas, it sprouts into a garden of bewildering choices and flat cinematography, leaving audiences pondering the scariest aspect: the film's disturbing plausibility. It's like watching a car crash in slow motion, except you're not invested in any of the passengers.

Set in the opulent abode of ex-news anchor Charles York (Peter Gallagher), the film unravels in a day of familial dysfunction amidst a global crisis. Jay Baruchel shines as Jared, a Tucker Carlson doppelgänger advocating for euthanasia like it's the latest stock tip. When Charles decides to take the ultimate leap, chaos ensues, akin to a dysfunctional family edition of "Survivor."

The film's allure lies in its peripheral elements, hinting at a commentary on nepotism while the characters claw at each other like feral cats at a fancy dinner party. Baruchel's performance is a beacon of eccentricity, while Colantoni adds a sprinkle of dark humor as the euthanasia technician who's seen it all.

However, the supporting cast falls flat, resembling cardboard cutouts in a drama of familial strife. Hampshire's sociopathic tendencies and Bale's near-invisibility fail to elevate the drama, leaving Chacon's promising subplot dangling like a carrot on a string.

Visual flair is sorely lacking, with lighting oscillating between dimly lit scenes and interrogation room brightness, casting a shadow over the film's potential.

Despite its flaws, "Humane" offers morsels of entertainment and societal reflection, albeit buried beneath layers of mediocrity. It's a COVID allegory with lofty ambitions but stumbles in its execution, leaving audiences with an interesting story told in an uninteresting manner. You might find yourself longing for the visceral thrills of a true Cronenberg nightmare.