Common Sense Media Review
By Stefan Pape
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Demoralizing docu-drama predicts a bleak future.
Parents Need to Know
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2073
What's the Story?
2073 is a documentary-drama, directed by Asif Kapadia, that explores today's world, and how greed and a lust for power is destroying the planet, in a myriad of different ways. The film then delves into the future, to a post-apocalyptic wasteland in the year 2073, where an unnamed woman (Samantha Morton) is striving to survive, trying to make sense of what the generations before her did to allow the world to collapse in such a brutal way.
Is It Any Good?
Directed by respected documentarian Kapadia, there's no doubt this part-documentary, part-dystopian drama deals with some important issues. 2073's moralistic lens holds humanity accountable for its failings, from climate change to the threat of social media. However, the bleakness is unrelenting, making it a difficult watch. What's more, it doesn't tell us anything new. Rather, it bombards viewers with how awful everything is. The sprawling narrative tries to cover too much, diluting its focus and undermining its message. The low-budget futuristic scenes also feel cheap, weakening the creditability of the documentary aspects and the film's overall impact. Ultimately, the film's fatalistic approach leaves little room for hopeful solutions. If you want to maintain even the slightest semblance of faith in humanity, you might want to skip this film.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what 2073 is saying about the state of the world. How did you feel watching the film? What can we do to avoid the future depicted in the film? Has it inspired you to do anything new or different?
Can you find any positives to take away from the film? If so, what were they?
Did any of the violent scenes, including those in the archive footage, upset you? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
The film blends documentary with narrative fiction. Did you feel this approach worked for you? What did/didn't you like about it?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 27, 2024
- On DVD or streaming : January 7, 2025
- Cast : Samantha Morton , Naomi Ackie
- Director : Asif Kapadia
- Inclusion Information : Indian/South Asian Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Indian/South Asian Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Neon
- Genre : Documentary
- Topics : Activism , STEM
- Run time : 85 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some violent content, disturbing images and language
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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