Seven Sisters

Set in the near future, where certain genetically modified foods have led to a massive increase in multiple births, there isn't enough food to feed the increasing population. To counter this a strict one child policy is enforced; younger siblings are placed in cryosleep to await better times. When Karen Settman dies giving birth to identical septuplets they are raised in secret by their grandfather; he names them after the days of the week. When they are old enough he lets each one out on the day corresponding to their name... on that day they are Karen Settman.

Thirty years pass and 'Karen' is working at a bank. As before each is Karen for their one day. Everything goes well until one day Monday doesn't return home... is she just late or has something happened to her? Tuesday tries to discover what happened but when she too disappears the sisters realise they are in real danger; somebody wants then eliminated. The remaining sisters will have to work together and face danger many times before they learn some shocking truths.

I really enjoyed this dystopian sci-fi; I couldn't help thinking that is was like the series 'Orphan Black' crossed with the classic film 'Soylent Green' without ever feeling like a rip off of either. There are plenty of twists and turns. We get lots of impressive, sometimes gory, action and a real sense of danger for our protagonist sisters. Noomi Rapace is great in the role of all seven sisters; each subtly different in look and behaviour. The supporting cast, which includes Glenn Close and Willem Dafoe are solid too. The film raises interesting questions; if the population continues to grow will limits on children be legally imposed or will it just be accepted that people won't get to eat as much... assuming new farming techniques don't solve the problem first. Overall an impressive film; I'd certainly recommend it to fans of the genre; I'm surprised it isn't better known.

This movie is not without its faults. There are plot holes and some completely unrealistic scenarios. However, I'm not one who looks for every box to be ticked and can let these things slide, as long as the film makes up for it in other aspects such as whether it's enjoyable or not. It does so, in my opinion, with a timely, thought-provoking theme. Also, it is well-paced and there wasn't a dull moment. And Glenn Close was genuinely terrifying.

I honestly don't understand the bad reviews behind this film. I'm writing this, not as a review of the events or themes that take place; but rather, a questioning of expectations from the average film viewer.

It should be fairly obvious that to enjoy any motion picture, one must enable their sense of disbelief. This means when you watch a fantasy film or show you don't question the reality of wands, spells, dragons, etc. Instead, you allow yourself to be immersed within the story. After all, the entire point of art is to transport yourself within the world of the artist.

I take issue with criticism from professional critics to the average person on the basis of "realism," "continuity," and/or any other tropes related to the experience of (in this case film), art.

This movie uses certain themes that have a major impact in the possible near future as its basis for storytelling, and therefore, I can see why some might attempt to hold the themes as a basis to grade its merits.

I must contest this though as I would say you don't read an Asimov, Clarke, Dick, novel and complain that your predictions of the future aren't the same as the author's do you? While watching this I'm reminded of my experience of watching "Minority Report" and it's safe to say that that version of the future hasn't come close to existing yet, but nonetheless it's a masterful bit of storytelling. The point though is this, sure there are holes in almost any plot, especially in films that don't coincide with our present day notions of reality; but what has that to do with our ability to enjoy a film?

Be honest with yourself for a moment, when you're watching anything but a documentary (and even then..) you're primary concern is the entertainment value. To which, this film delivers in spades.

There's great drama, great action, great acting, and one person playing 7 roles. What more could you ask for? Anyone who denigrates this film, I have to know, what are your expectations, and what are your favorite films?

8/18/17 23:38

This film tells the story of a future world, where only one child is allowed door to overpopulation. Seven sisters hide in secret until they are discovered by the authorities.

Science fiction is usually not my favorite genre, but "What Happened to Monday" blew me away. The plot is original and it's excellent. A life of hiding and living only one day a week is pretty unimaginable, but the sisters managed it. As horror falls, the story gets really thrilling and completely draws me in. I long to see how things end up and what happens to the sisters. The title can be interpreted in two ways, and I think it is very clever. I think this film will be a classic, and it certainly ranks very high up in my list alongside with "Gattaca".

The core and everything in this movie is of course Noomi Rapace - she's doing an incredible job of playing seven different personalities, and doing it brilliantly. Other characters (like the "evil" side) are, unfortunately, not developed at all, but the siblings side is amazing. The plot is somewhat guessable (at least the general outcome), but there's plenty of good action and also a tough and controversial discussion about overpopulation - I'll leave it out of this review, but the thoughts from the movie go quite deep into how society could turn one day. That's also connected to the (small) frustration over the lack of other characters development, there's a rich ground for more elaborate story - but that shouldn't stop you from watching this film, it's very good!