Parents' Guide to Humane

A dystopian sci-fi story, a darkly comic skewering of American capitalism and greed, and a gory horror tale, this bloody movie doesn't always achieve a satisfying balance, but it's never boring. The directorial debut of photographer Caitlin Cronenberg, who's also the daughter of legendary horror master David Cronenberg, Humane begins with a hauntingly realistic depiction of climate change's dire effects, including images of people carrying reflective umbrellas to protect them from deadly sunlight. That sets an effectively oppressive tone that carries through the rest of the story.

Humane's "eat the rich" elements are nothing new, with the characters' unethical, inhumane greed showing through, much as they try to hide it. (Outside of Bob, who occupies a different role here, there are no middle- or lower-class people to create a juxtaposition; there's no depiction of the "haves" versus the "have nots.") The stalking-and-killing section is competently handled, with viewers' affections directed toward Noah, who has clearly suffered and has come out the other side with a measure of empathy. But since his character was adopted, the others target him. By the end of Humane, it's abundantly clear that there are no heroes in this story and that the villain is humanity itself for its general disregard and apathy toward the future and our own kind.