Equals Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

In a world where everyone’s trying really hard not to feel anything, two people accidentally catch ‘the feels’ and suddenly realize dating is way more complicated than they thought.

🍿 Equals: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Collective: A World Without Emotion

In a post-Great War future, humanity has engineered a utopian society known as the Collective, where emotions have been eradicated to ensure peace and prevent conflict. Citizens live in pristine, minimalist environments, adhering to strict routines, with individuality and personal relationships deemed obsolete. Procreation is managed artificially, removing the need for romance or love.

The Onset of Switched-on-Syndrome (SOS)

Despite the enforced serenity, a mysterious ‘disease’ called Switched-on-Syndrome (SOS) causes emotions to resurface in some individuals. Silas, a talented illustrator in the Collective, begins to experience these forbidden feelings, including anxiety and curiosity. He is diagnosed with Stage 1 SOS and attends mandatory therapy sessions, where he learns more about his condition and the existence of ‘hiders’—those who conceal their symptoms.

A Forbidden Connection Blossoms

Silas soon observes subtle emotional reactions in his coworker, Nia, confirming his suspicion that she is also an SOS ‘hider.’ Drawn to their shared secret, a deep, clandestine connection develops between them, leading to a forbidden romance. As their emotions intensify, they must navigate the severe risks of exposure within a society that punishes any display of feeling.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Silas (Nicholas Hoult): A sensitive illustrator who begins to experience forbidden emotions, leading him to fall in love and challenge his emotionless society.
• Nia (Kristen Stewart): A ‘hider’ who secretly feels emotions and develops a deep, forbidden connection with Silas in their emotion-suppressed world.
• Jonas (Guy Pearce): A compassionate SOS sufferer who guides Silas and other ‘hiders’ in navigating their re-emerging emotions within the Collective.
• Kate (Kate Lyn Sheil): A member of the underground group of SOS sufferers who secretly support each other and assist Silas and Nia.
• Leonard (David Selby): A doctor within the Collective’s Health and Safety department who diagnoses and attempts to suppress emotions in those afflicted with Switched-on-Syndrome.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Silas: “I never could have imagined what love felt like. It’s… strange… like a tornado going around…” – Silas attempts to describe the overwhelming and new sensation of love to Nia during an intimate moment, struggling to articulate its profound impact.
• Nia: “Just remember what this feels like.” – Nia implores Silas to hold onto their shared emotions, emphasizing the profound value of feeling as they face an uncertain future.
• Jonas: “They call it a disease. We call it living.” – Jonas, an SOS sufferer, defiantly expresses his perspective on their condition to Silas, rejecting the Collective’s designation of emotions as an illness.
• Silas: “I can’t go back. Not to that.” – Silas declares his unwavering commitment to experiencing emotions and love, refusing to return to the sterile, unfeeling existence of the Collective.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $16,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $33,258
• Worldwide Gross: $2,084,628

💥 Equals Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so *Equals* really got to me! I went in expecting a standard sci-fi, but it was so much more. The way Silas and Nia slowly, almost painfully, rediscovered emotions felt incredibly real. I especially loved the quiet, intense scenes where they’d just stare at each other or a simple touch would feel monumental – it was almost suffocatingly intimate. It made me appreciate every little feeling, even the uncomfortable ones. By the end, I was genuinely rooting for them to find their freedom and keep that connection. It’s a beautiful, raw portrayal of what it means to feel alive.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of sci-fi romance and forbidden love stories”
  • “Viewers who appreciate character-driven and emotional dramas”
  • “Enthusiasts of dystopian and thought-provoking cinema”
  • “Audiences interested in slow-burn narratives and artistic cinematography”
  • “Those who enjoy films featuring Nicholas Hoult and Kristen Stewart”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Themes of emotional suppression and loss”
  • “Implied suicide (as a consequence of SOS Stage 3)”
  • “Mild sexual content and intimacy”
  • “Slow pacing and deliberate narrative style”
  • “Dystopian themes with societal control and conformity”

Professional Reviews

• Cinephile Daily: “Drake Doremus’ ‘Equals’ is a visually stunning exploration of human connection in a sterile, emotionless world. Stewart and Hoult deliver incredibly nuanced performances, their simmering chemistry bringing unexpected warmth to the cool, minimalist aesthetic. It’s a quiet, intimate drama that defies traditional sci-fi tropes, inviting viewers to truly feel alongside its characters.
• Screen Scene Magazine: “While ‘Equals’ boasts impressive production design and a compelling concept, its execution often falls flat. The narrative plods along at a glacial pace, rehashing dystopian tropes without offering much innovation. Despite the leads’ efforts to convey emotion in a feeling-less society, the film struggles to ignite genuine excitement or engagement.

Audience Reactions

Viewers were captivated by the raw, intimate chemistry between the leads and the unique emotional journey.: Many found the film a thought-provoking and deeply emotional love story, appreciating its focus on human connection over action in a dystopian setting, and its beautiful cinematography.

Overall Consensus: Equals is a polarizing film; while some praise its profound exploration of human emotion and stellar lead performances, others find its slow pacing and familiar dystopian themes unengaging.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Drake Doremus was adamant that Nicholas Hoult and Kristen Stewart be cast as the leads together, stating that if either actor was unavailable, neither would be in the film.”
• “The film’s sleek, futuristic aesthetic was achieved by filming in real-world locations in Singapore and Japan, utilizing their modern architecture to create the Collective’s minimalist environment.”
• “In the closing credits, the letter ‘E’s illuminate first, mimicking an ‘equal sign’ before the full word appears, a subtle visual nod to the film’s title and theme.”

🖥️ How to Watch Equals?

As a thought-provoking sci-fi romance, ‘Equals’ is generally available for streaming or digital purchase on major platforms. You can typically find it for rent or buy on services like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred platform for current availability and pricing, as offerings can vary by region. For physical media enthusiasts, ‘Equals’ is also available on DVD and Blu-ray.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Equals, you might like these similar films:

• Equilibrium (2002): A direct comparison, this film also depicts a dystopian society where emotions are suppressed through drugs and outlawed, leading to a protagonist who begins to feel and rebel against the system.
• Gattaca (1997): Explores a visually sterile and genetically stratified future where individuals strive for freedom and self-determination against a rigid societal structure, much like the emotional suppression in ‘Equals’.
• The Giver (2014): Features a society that has eliminated pain and suffering by removing memories and emotions, and a young protagonist who begins to receive them, revealing the richness (and pain) of true human experience.
• The Lobster (2015): A modern, darkly comedic take on societal pressures regarding relationships and the suppression of natural human instincts, sharing a similar exploration of conformity and rebellion for love.
• 1984 (1984): A foundational dystopian narrative where a totalitarian regime controls thought and emotion, making any form of personal connection or rebellion a dangerous act, setting the precedent for films like ‘Equals’.

🛒 Equals Related Products

• Equals – Collector’s Edition Blu-ray: Experience the visually stunning world of Equals with this limited Collector’s Edition Blu-ray. Features a pristine high-definition transfer, behind-the-scenes documentaries on the film’s unique production design, and exclusive interviews with Kristen Stewart and Nicholas Hoult discussing their intense on-screen chemistry.
• Equals (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – Vinyl LP: Immerse yourself in the haunting and beautiful score of Equals with this limited-edition vinyl pressing. Featuring ambient electronic compositions that perfectly capture the film’s stark, yet deeply emotional atmosphere, this soundtrack is a journey on its own.
• The Collective’s Design: An Equals Art Book: Explore the exquisite minimalist aesthetic and futuristic architecture of ‘Equals’ through concept art, set photography, and costume designs. This hardcover book offers an exclusive look into the creation of the film’s unique visual language and the philosophy behind its sterile utopia.
• Love in Dystopia: A Sci-Fi Romance Novel: Dive into another tale of forbidden love and emotional awakening in a controlled society. This highly-rated standalone novel explores themes similar to Equals, featuring a compelling narrative and deep character development that will resonate with fans of the movie’s romantic and philosophical core.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Overture (Suite) No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1068: II. Air (Air on a G String)” – performed by Johann Sebastian Bach
• “Whispers of the Heart” – performed by Nils Frahm
• “The Great Silence” – performed by Max Richter

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Kristen Stewart & Nicholas Hoult Reveal New Film ‘Equals’ | MTV News

Ever wonder what the stars think about their own movies? Dive into this great chat with Kristen Stewart and Nicholas Hoult as they, along with director Drake Doremus, reveal cool details about making ‘Equals’ – it’s always fascinating to hear their personal take!

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