Crimes of the Future (2022), written and directed by David Cronenberg, is a disturbing and thought-provoking science fiction horror drama. With a unique storyline, the film delves into the concept of human evolution, bodily transformation, and the moral questions surrounding technology’s role in our future. Featuring Viggo Mortensen, Léa Seydoux, and Kristen Stewart, the movie presents a bleak vision of a world where the boundaries between the human body and technology become increasingly blurred.

Set in a dystopian future where human beings have adapted to a world of constant biological mutation, Crimes of the Future follows Saul Tenser (Viggo Mortensen), a performance artist who undergoes disturbing and unnatural bodily transformations. Together with his partner Caprice (Léa Seydoux), who assists him in these transformations, Saul becomes a spectacle for a curious public. The story explores the philosophical and ethical dilemmas of a society where people are altering their bodies in unprecedented ways, and where the government is trying to control this new form of human evolution. Kristen Stewart plays a key role as a government official involved in monitoring these bizarre developments.

Viggo Mortensen’s portrayal of Saul Tenser is both eerie and compelling. His performance captures the vulnerability and fascination with his body’s strange mutations, creating a sense of unease for the audience. Léa Seydoux’s Caprice is equally captivating, portraying a character who is both a partner in Saul’s transformations and a symbol of the human desire for control over nature. Kristen Stewart’s character adds another layer to the narrative, offering a perspective on the government’s role in managing these mutations. The dynamics between these characters highlight the complex relationships in a world where human identity is constantly shifting.

The central themes of Crimes of the Future revolve around bodily autonomy, the consequences of unchecked scientific progress, and the ethical implications of human mutation. The film raises questions about the definition of “normal” in a world where human bodies evolve in unpredictable ways. It explores how technology and human nature are intertwined and the consequences of pushing the limits of biological and technological boundaries. The mutations in the film can be seen as metaphors for the fear and fascination humans have with their own bodies and the direction in which they are heading.

David Cronenberg’s direction and visual style are essential to the film’s unsettling atmosphere. The cinematography, with its cold, sterile environments, mirrors the clinical and detached way in which the characters interact with their transformed bodies. The use of muted colors and shadowy lighting adds to the film’s ominous tone, creating an atmosphere of discomfort and alienation. Cronenberg’s decision to emphasize body horror and surrealistic imagery amplifies the unease, making the viewer feel as though they are witnessing a nightmarish, yet possible, future.

Crimes of the Future is a chilling exploration of the intersection of human evolution and technological advancement. Through its disturbing narrative and thought-provoking themes, the film questions the limits of human nature and the price of progress. The performances by the cast, especially Mortensen, Seydoux, and Stewart, bring depth and complexity to the film’s unsettling vision of the future. Cronenberg’s direction and unique style make Crimes of the Future a haunting and thought-provoking experience, leaving audiences to reflect on the ethical boundaries of technology and its potential consequences.