Captive State Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Aliens take over, Chicago gets space-gentrified, and John Goodman plays 4D chess with space roaches, all while someone tries to bum a cigarette with a secret code.

🍿 Captive State: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Invasion and its Aftermath

In 2019, Earth is swiftly conquered by an extraterrestrial force known as the Legislators. The film jumps to 2027, nine years after the invasion, focusing on Chicago, which is under strict alien control. The Legislators have established a collaborationist human government that enforces their rules, and technology has been suppressed, reverting to pre-internet era methods of communication.

Gabriel’s Dilemma

Gabriel Drummond, haunted by the loss of his parents during the invasion, lives in poverty and is constantly watched by William Mulligan, a police commander who was his father’s partner before the invasion. Gabriel’s brother, Rafe, is a member of the Phoenix resistance, and Gabriel is torn between self-preservation and joining the fight for freedom. Mulligan is suspicious that Phoenix is still active and uses Gabriel as leverage.

The Phoenix Resistance

Rafe leads an attack on a Unity Rally, a propaganda event orchestrated by the Legislators and their human collaborators at Soldier Field. The attack is seemingly successful but leads to a severe crackdown. Rafe is captured, and Gabriel is coerced into contacting ‘Number One,’ the supposed leader of Phoenix, to save his brother from torture.

Betrayal and Revelation

Gabriel’s attempt to contact Number One leads him to Jane Doe, a prostitute with ties to the Special Branch. She’s killed in a police raid moments after meeting him. The investigation reveals that Commissioner Igoe leaked information, enabling the Phoenix attack. Igoe and Rafe are deported off-world, and Mulligan is promoted, appearing to have crushed the resistance.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• William Mulligan (John Goodman): A complex police commander who appears to be a collaborator but is secretly working to undermine the alien occupation from within.
• Gabriel Drummond (Ashton Sanders): A young man caught between the oppressive alien regime and the resistance, ultimately inspired to continue the fight for freedom.
• Rafe Drummond (Jonathan Majors): The leader of the Phoenix resistance, whose actions inspire his brother and whose ‘failed’ plan sets the stage for a larger victory.
• Jane Doe (Vera Farmiga): A brothel owner and member of the resistance, who gathers intelligence and plays a key role in the larger plan.
• Commissioner Eugene Igoe (Kevin Dunn): The corrupt Police Commissioner who unintentionally aids the resistance by divulging sensitive information.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• William Mulligan: “That’s what they said about aliens.” – Mulligan sarcastically responds to Kermode’s claim that the resistance doesn’t exist, highlighting the absurdity of denying what is clearly present.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $25,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $5,958,315
• Worldwide Gross: $8,808,611

💥 Captive State Reviews

Personal Review

I found Captive State to be a surprisingly engaging sci-fi thriller, even though it’s far from perfect. The film starts a bit slow, but it builds a decent amount of suspense as it progresses. John Goodman’s character really stole the show; his ambiguity and dedication to the cause make him the most interesting character. Seeing the world through this lens of oppression was both gripping and thought-provoking. The biggest weakness of this film is that I wish there was more development of Ashton Sanders’ character.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of dystopian science fiction”
  • “Viewers interested in political thrillers”
  • “Those who enjoy movies with complex plots and twists”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence and some disturbing images”
  • “Themes of oppression and control”
  • “May be intense for younger viewers”

Professional Reviews

• Screen Daily: “A thinking person’s sci-fi film that chooses tension and character over spectacle. Its strength lies in its committed performances and grounded depiction of a society under occupation.
• IndieWire: “Captive State is an interesting idea that never quite takes off. The film spends too much time with characters that feel underdeveloped and plotlines that don’t quite coalesce, leading to a disappointing experience.

Audience Reactions

A slow burn that pays off with an unexpected twist ending, defying typical alien invasion tropes.: Those who stuck with Captive State appreciated its unique take on alien occupation, favoring suspense and political intrigue over action-packed set pieces.

Overall Consensus: Captive State offers an intriguing, albeit somewhat convoluted, take on the alien invasion genre, favoring suspense and political intrigue over traditional action. Its strengths lie in its performances and thought-provoking themes, but its complex plot and underdeveloped characters may leave some viewers feeling underwhelmed.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The countdown audio leading up to Commissioner Igoe’s descent (1:10 into the movie) and up to Mulligan’s descent (near the end of the movie) is the actual audio from the countdown of the launch of Apollo 11, in 1969, adding a layer of historical weight to the sci-fi setting.”
• “The filmmakers aimed for a grounded, realistic portrayal of an alien occupation, focusing on the political and social dynamics rather than large-scale action sequences, which influenced the film’s narrative choices and visual style.”
• “The design of the aliens, referred to as ‘Legislators’, was intentionally kept mysterious and infrequent, emphasizing their oppressive presence through suggestion and implication rather than constant visibility.”

🖥️ How to Watch Captive State?

As of October 2024, ‘Captive State’ is available for streaming on platforms such as Hulu with a premium subscription. You can also rent or purchase the movie on demand from services like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable and satellite options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Captive State, you might like these similar films:

• District 9 (2009): Explores themes of alien occupation and social division in a realistic, thought-provoking manner.
• The Man in the High Castle (2015-2019): Presents an alternate history where an oppressive force controls society, focusing on resistance movements and the moral compromises made by individuals.
• V for Vendetta (2005): Features a dystopian society under authoritarian rule and a masked vigilante leading a rebellion against the oppressive regime.

🛒 Captive State Related Products

• Captive State – Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the official movie poster, capturing the film’s dystopian atmosphere. Perfect for fans to display their appreciation for the film’s unique visual style.
• Alien Invasion Board Game: Strategic board game where players must cooperate to defend Earth from an alien invasion. Features detailed miniatures and strategic gameplay.
• Dystopian Chicago T-Shirt: High-quality T-shirt featuring a stylized design of the occupied Chicago skyline from the movie. A subtle nod to the film’s setting.
• John Goodman Signed Photo: Limited edition autographed print by John Goodman as William Mulligan. Makes for a unique gift for the fans.

🎧 Soundtrack

Captive State features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Gutta News” – performed by Josh Lewis

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Captive State Review

Thinking about watching ‘Captive State’? This IGN review breaks down the film’s sci-fi concepts and gives you their honest opinion. Honestly, their take on the film’s message really resonated with me, definitely worth checking out before you commit!

MovieBob Reviews: Captive State

Want another opinion on ‘Captive State’? MovieBob dives deep into the movie, pointing out things you might miss! I think it’s so interesting how he has a different take on it from IGN, you should check it out.

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