Humane

A chilling social commentary disguised as a family thriller. Set against the backdrop of an environmentally ravaged Earth, the film throws us into the heart of a wealthy family grappling with a government-sanctioned euthanasia program to curb overpopulation.

We follow the story of Peter, a once-celebrated news anchor now facing the prospect of entering the program. As his family grapples with this dark reality, cracks begin to show in the seemingly "humane" facade.

The film masterfully builds tension through a combination of social commentary and psychological horror. The luxurious homes of the privileged stand in stark contrast to the desperation of those on the outside. The ever-present threat of "Humane" hangs heavy, casting a shadow of doubt on every interaction.

"Humane" isn't afraid to get its hands dirty. The story takes some truly disturbing turns, highlighting the potential for social control and the lengths some will go to in a desperate situation. The parallels to "The Purge" are undeniable, but "Humane" feels more insidious, a slow-burning descent into a society where "culling" becomes normalized.

While the film might not offer easy answers, it provokes thought-provoking questions about resource allocation, euthanasia, and the ethics of survival in a world on the brink and how some enjoy the chaos as it plays out.

So I won't go into a movie summary since IMDb already does a pretty good job of doing that. It is watchable, but kind of slow to get started. The acting is very average for all involved except for the two main character husband and wife...they of course are quite seasoned. The soundtrack, yea that is really lacking. And actually takes away from many scenes while always playing softly in the background. But where this film is actually quite strong is the cinematography. Whoever the cinematographer was for the movie knew his business. Not a single shakey-cam anywhere. They set up the scenes and and shots it all really well. That is something so new. Typically it is annoying shakey-cam and high school level film class shots. So it's worth a watch.

In 2024's "Humane" we are introduced to a wealthy families dinner party that transforms into a night of horror and betrayal. Due to an environmental collapse, humanity is forced to shed 20% of its population and after the father of the York family dies, they are confronted with a situation that seems unsolvable at first. But without spoiling anything, the siblings certainly don't have much of a problem to betray each other and go for the easiest way out to save themselves.

The premise seemed interesting enough and with Caitlin Cronenberg as the director I was intrigued to say the least. However the movie ultimately falls pretty flat and becomes a rather underwhelming flick. It's well acted and overall the production looks pretty solid. The premise is slightly stupid but also interesting and unique in its own way. However the movie never manages to evolve into something memorable. It's able to pass the time but overall doesn't leave lasting impression and therefore ends up being pretty ordinary. [5,4/10]

I watched Humane. I liked the idea. And the movie kept my interest. But I just couldn't really believe it.

If D. O. C. S. did all that, (by "all that," I mean details that would spoil the movie if I were to write them,) and any family knew about it, that information would spread like wildfire. It wouldn't have been a big surprise to the family.

The end was cheesy AF. Not believable at all.

I disliked the politics of the film also. It would have been way more believable to have the World Health Organization doing all of it, rather than a single political party.

There are numerous other things that just didn't add up in it also.

Buuuuut... it held my interest. And the CONCEPT of the film was very original and intriguing, which is way more than I can say for the other movies coming out nowadays. The movie was good, but it could have been great with just a bit more thought put into it.

Caitlin Cronenberg makes her directorial debut with Humane (2024), a film set in a near-future where overpopulation has led to drastic government measures-including voluntary euthanasia. A wealthy family gathers for dinner, only to see their night descend into chaos as they confront uncomfortable truths about their privilege and morality.

The premise is fascinating and full of potential for sharp social commentary, but the execution leaves much to be desired. At just under 100 minutes, the film still feels slow, struggling to sustain tension throughout. While the script aims for dark humor and suspense, it often lands in an awkward middle ground where neither element fully takes hold.

Performances are a highlight, with Jay Baruchel and Emily Hampshire delivering strong work. They bring some energy to an otherwise uneven narrative, but the characters as a whole lack the depth needed to make their dilemmas fully compelling. The production design and cinematography do a decent job of building an eerie atmosphere, but visually, the film never quite elevates beyond its small-scale setting.

Humane is an ambitious debut that doesn't fully deliver on its promise. Caitlin Cronenberg shows flashes of directorial skill, but the film's sluggish pacing and underdeveloped character arcs make it a frustrating watch. With a sharper script and a more dynamic approach, it could have been a gripping thriller, but as it stands, it remains a missed opportunity.