Surge
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Surge
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Surge is a tense, frantic, and gripping British thriller about a man who experiences a nervous breakdown due to loneliness and stress. Although Joseph's (Ben Whishaw) actions are at times dangerous, criminal, and unpredictable, the movie's depiction of the character's personality disorder and psychosis is realistic, sympathetic, and does not judge or condemn him. Joseph is largely ignored at home and at work. Nobody, including his parents, takes the time to ask if he's OK, even when he's in the midst of his breakdown. While experiencing psychotic episodes, Joseph robs banks, is involved in a road traffic accident, and is in a brutal fight. Injury detail is bloody and includes glass embedded in his lip after biting and smashing a drinking glass. The movie has frequent strong language, which includes one use of "c--t," and multiple uses of "f--k," "s--t," "bollocks," and more. A couple kiss and have sex, although there is no nudity. Male buttocks are shown in a non-sexual scene.
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What's the Story?
In SURGE, a lonely airport security guard, Joseph (Ben Whishaw), has a nervous breakdown, leading him to a manic day of crime and confusion across London.
Is It Any Good?
This excellent British thriller is an empathetic depiction of loneliness, stress, and mental illness. There's no finger-pointing or righteous indignation in Surge. Just observation and understanding of a realistic, yet tragic situation. Director Aneil Karia keeps the camera on the remarkable Whishaw at all times. We're at his joyless birthday party with his parents and we're anonymous alongside him at his job. The loneliness and despair is infectious. He's in the thick of London's city but entirely alone. When he snaps, he breaks out of his mental cage and doesn't know what to do with his freedom. The handheld camera keeps up at his dizzying pace as the city he's not part of rushes by in a blur.
Whishaw's honest depiction is both astonishing and almost unbearable. Each time we cross another line where intervention might have changed his path, your heart breaks a little bit more. Add its loaded social commentary, bank robberies, impulsive sex, black humor, car crashes, and fist fights, and Surge is a thrilling movie with a lingering message.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Surge portrayed mental illness. Did it seem like a realistic portrayal? How did it compare to other depictions you may have seen in movies? Why is it important to ensure mental illness is portrayed honestly and accurately on-screen? How does that help with how people living with mental illness are seen in society?
How might Joseph's journey have been different if he had received the help he needed?
Discuss the strong language used. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
Talk about the film's violence. Was violence celebrated in this film? What affect did it have on you? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
How was sex portrayed in the movie? Was it affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
Movie Details
- In theaters: September 24, 2021
- On DVD or streaming: October 25, 2021
- Cast: Ben Whishaw, Ellie Haddington, Jasmine Jobson
- Director: Aneil Karia
- Studio: FilmRise
- Genre: Thriller
- Run time: 105 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: August 16, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
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Intense mental illness drama has dark humor, salty language.
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'70s classic is extremely violent; lots of sex, language.
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Bleak, violent, powerful; not your typical comic book movie.
For kids who love thrillers
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