Parents' Guide to

Equals

By Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Dystopian romance ponders love; some passionate scenes.

Movie PG-13 2016 101 minutes
Equals Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 15+

Based on 4 parent reviews

Ferrys
Ferrys Adult
November 19, 2022
age 15+

Dystopian Romance

Normally I shun sci-fi but the title of this film drew me in. I have read a couple of books with a similar plot line but I was intrigued and so thought I would try it. Compared to the book Woman on the Edge of Time which has similarities, it is less traumatising but still I was very upset by the dystopian future and what happens to the couple after they went against their society's controlling ethos. I feel that young adults and older teens could really engage with this film but younger teens wouldn't have enough depth of understanding to deal with the issues raised.

This title has:

Educational value
Too much violence
Too much sex
Kassi S.
Kassi S. Adult
May 25, 2017
age 15+

Well,

As a fan of the futuristic movies it's depressing to say that this movie definitely had some flaws in its plot line. From the description of the movie it really grabs you however when you begin to watch it you realize how monotonous the entire movie is. I understand the point of trying to express the lifestyle in which the characters are living however I believe that they wasted too much story trying to push a point that was already proven and lost touch with the story so they had to rush the ending good characters decent plot however I felt like the movie should have been spread up a little in many scenes cut. It's a thoughtful watch however I would not suggest pain to watch it wait for Netflix.

This title has:

Great messages
Too much sex
Too much consumerism
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

EQUALS takes place in a dystopian future in which humans have explored the distant reaches of space, cured both cancer and the common cold, and learned to live utterly without emotions -- including love (and, as an extension, physical intimacy). The governing "Collective" expects citizens to turn in anyone who starts to couple off or express feelings: They're considered sick with "Switched-On Syndrome" (SOS), which -- like cancer -- is treated in stages, with Stage Four leading to forced rehabilitation or euthanasia. Illustrator Silas (Nicholas Hoult) starts to show signs of "switching on" after someone in his office building commits suicide; he notices that his coworker, Nia (Kristen Stewart), is subtly affected in a way their other colleagues are not. After Silas is formally diagnosed with Stage One SOS, he finds himself drawn more and more to Nia, who is in fact "hiding" her own ability to feel everything from loneliness to desire. They begin a forbidden relationship with the understanding that, if caught, they'll be punished or even killed.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4):
Kids say (4):

This predictable love-will-prevail romance benefits from attractive, expressive leads. Both Hoult (Warm Bodies) and Stewart (Twilight Saga) are YA-adaptation veterans who are skilled at evoking the nuanced and overwhelming feeling of falling in love; they couldn't be better suited to playing outlier humans who feel despite that being considered a sickness in their slick, emotion-free society. Stewart is skilled at expertly conveying much in even the smallest of gestures, whether it's her signature hair touch or the slightest squint of the eyes. She and Hoult make it look completely believable that all it takes in an utterly repressed world is a few charged, longing looks and breathless caresses in a bathroom stall for two people to fall recklessly in love with each other.

As in Like Crazy, director Drake Doremus continues to ponder the mysteries of love -- and, in this case, whether it's indeed a sickness so overwhelming that it's worth risking your life to protect. Propelled by the appealing leads and memorable cinematography (the exterior shots are particularly fascinating, and the interior shots favor close-ups of Hoult and Stewart as they reach and look and touch) Equals -- which is reminiscent of futuristic films like Gattaca, as well as young-adult stories like The Giver and Delirium -- is a bit too quiet to merit a real fandom but still sweet enough to be enjoyed by those who favor indie romances.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the popularity of dystopian stories like Equals. What do you think makes futuristic romances so compelling to audiences? What does Equals have in common with other movies in this genre? How is it different?

  • How is the central romantic relationship portrayed? Is it a strong relationship? Why or why not?

  • What are the consequences of the protagonists having unprotected sex? Is what happened believable?

  • Are there any role models in the movie? What do they do that is brave, selfless, and/or helpful?

  • The movie has some upsetting/intense scenes. Do you consider them violent? Why or why not?

Movie Details

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