One is already used to extensive theatrical postponements and deletions. But the fact that a film disappears completely from the scene for almost two years, only to then reappear as a pure home cinema premiere, as if nothing had happened, causes some frowns. This is what happened in the case of Captive State, the current feature film by Planet of the Apes: PrevolutionDirector Rupert Wyatt (The Exorcist, The Escapist). Many moviegoers had already identified the sci / fi thriller as one of the potential highlights of 2019 when it was released in the spring, just a few weeks before it was launched and during the usual preparations (a trailer had been published, PR and the first press screenings were scheduled) were under way, surprisingly and without replacement.
There was no official statement from the responsible distributor (eOne Entertainment), the film simply remained lost for a long time. Last December, when one had almost given up hope for a German publication, then the surprise: Captive State is yet to come – but only on a small scale and no longer on the screen as planned.
“This is no longer our planet”. © eOne / Focus Features
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Captive State: Now directly from Netflix
Even if the corona crisis has played its part in keeping us on for so long Captive State had to wait, the pandemic is unlikely to be the sole reason for the postponement. After all, the German start should take place at the beginning of 2019, well in advance.
When Captive State was finally launched on December 10, 2020, the American theatrical release was already 18 months old and the film was released as a TV premiere in some parts of the world (such as Sweden and Portugal). They don’t go that far in this country, but we also appear here Captive State now surprisingly fast as a stream – from now on directly from Netflix and of course at no additional cost for existing subscribers.
Was it worth the wait? Between sci / fi thrillers, action drama and horror, Rupert Wyatt tells a gripping dystopian story, but one that suffers from the fact that it does not fully exploit its great potential. In addition, many of the ideas raised in the film are dealt with too superficially, without going into detail – certainly also to keep the budget small and to keep a back door open for possible further excursions into this world.
Given its release history and the fact that the cinema premiere (flushed worldwide Captive State just eight million dollars in the box office) was an absolute failure, it will probably never happen again. If you like exciting sci / fi cinema, you should still give Wyatt’s dark vision of the future a chance!
Desolate future: that’s what the film is about
In the dystopian end-time thriller, intelligent aliens break into the earth and its inhabitants like a plague. The film is not set during, but – similar to District 9 – Years after the arrival of the mysterious strangers who are supposed to change life as we know it forever.
Captive State drafts sinister vision of the future. © eOne / Focus Features
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And so society is divided into two camps – those who cooperate and those who want to instigate an uprising against the occupation that has been going on for 10 years. Officially, crime no longer exists in this new world order, unemployment is on a historic low and poverty was eradicated. But this seemingly perfect world has a dark downside. Humanity is under imposed control, most of them surrender to their fate and collaborate. In Chicago, however, resistance is forming underground:
A small group of insurgents is determined to defend themselves against the intruders. What not only the rulers from the foreign galaxy, but also their henchmen want to prevent by all means. A relentless hunt for the conspirators begins, in which only one side can survive.
Now available right on Netflix! © eOne / Focus Features
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