Humane is a thought-provoking and disturbing movie that takes a darkly fascinating concept and gives it a family-friendly twist. Directed by Caitlin Cronenberg in her feature film debut, this dystopian thriller imagines a world ravaged by climate change where governments have resorted to a drastic solution: a global population reduction of 20% through voluntary euthanasia programs. Unfortunately, while the concept feels filled with potential, the film could not live up to its lofty ambitions, leaving a relatively hollow experience when all is said and done.
The story revolves around the dysfunctional York family, who gather for a tense dinner when their patriarch, Charles (Peter Gallagher), announces his intention to “volunteer” for the euthanasia program. But when his wife mysteriously disappears, the family is given an ultimatum: one of them must volunteer in her place or face dire consequences. It is a great setup and gives you just enough of the universe to get a sense of how bleak everything is, even though the wealthy, for the most part, do not have to worry about the many troubles everyone else experiences.
But now that everything is in motion and there is no way to go back on their decisions, Humane becomes a pressure cooker as the Yorks’ long-simmering resentments and rivalries boil over in the face of this impossible choice. Humane does a great job of setting up the many players, giving us just enough to see their many flaws and let us guess how they might turn out when pushed to their limits.
“Humane manages to have a great balance of funny and horrifying moments that all work together to create a sense of unease…”
The film succeeds largely due to the cast, who bring their A-game to their performances. Jay Baruchel delivers a standout performance as Jared, the entitled, turtleneck-wearing character, while Emily Hampshire portrays Rachel, the cutthroat corporate climber, with chilling intensity. The rest of the ensemble cast is equally impressive, with each sibling having their moment to shine—or unravel—as the night progresses.
Following in her father’s footsteps, Cronenberg proves herself a skilled director, ratcheting up the tension in Humane with claustrophobic camerawork and unsettling sound design. She also has a knack for dark humour, finding moments of bleak absurdity amidst the horror. Despite its darkly unsettling tone and concept, Humane manages to have a great balance of funny and horrifying moments that all work together to create a sense of unease, with any sense of family being slowly ripped away as the minutes tick down.
The film’s production design is also impressive, with the Yorks’ grand Victorian mansion effectively becoming a character in its own right, filled with secrets and hidden agendas. Although the setup of the house is initially clear, the more we explore the location, the more we uncover the many family secrets that lurk just below the surface. Each new revelation serves to expose the true nature of most family members, revealing them to be truly despicable.
While I really enjoyed most of what the film brought to the table, it falters in pacing and focus, especially later in its runtime. Humane’s second act occasionally drags, with the siblings’ bickering becoming repetitive. Although the film raises intriguing questions about climate change, overpopulation, and the ethics of euthanasia, it fails to fully commit to any one concept, resulting in a muddled execution. I found the breakdown of family dynamics compelling. Still, the film reveals its intentions too early, leading to a lacklustre third act—a cardinal sin for any thriller or horror flick.
“Following in her father’s footsteps, Cronenberg proves herself a skilled director, ratcheting up the tension in Humane with claustrophobic camerawork and unsettling sound design.”
Even though it did ramp up the tension to a palpable degree, I could also see Humane’s ending being divisive, especially for fans of the genre. Without spoiling too much, suffice it to say that the film takes some wild, bloody turns in its final act that will either leave you exhilarated or rolling your eyes. It’s a blood-soaked swing for the bleachers, but one that doesn’t quite connect. I commend Cronenberg for taking the chances she does; I only wish it worked better in the final product.
In the end, Humane is a film that will linger in your mind long after the credits roll, even if it doesn’t fully satisfy. It transforms a thought experiment into a bloody reality, challenging us to consider the lengths we might go to survive in a world on the brink of collapse. As a calling card for Cronenberg’s talents, it serves as an impressive debut that establishes her as a filmmaker to watch. While not always an easy watch, it is a provocative one that’s worth seeking out for fans of dark, high-concept thrillers.
