Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Humane’

7/30/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Alanna Bale, Sebastian Chacon, Siena Gulamgaus, Peter Gallagher, Uni Park, Emily Hampshire and Jay Baruchel as Ashley York, Noah York, Mia York, Charles York, Dawn Kim, Rachel York and Jared York in Caitlin Cronenberg’s HUMANE. (Photo Courtesy of Ste Wilkie. An IFC Films and Shudder Release.)

Whether we like to admit it or not, our world is going through some terrifying changes at the moment. Both in the physical and societal sense. On the latter end of that, we are seeing a rise in conservatism, which is creating all kinds of unsettling ideological battles in nations and regions that have never known such chaos. Not to mention, the planet is getting warmer. Because climate change is a very real thing and it is indeed caused by humanity’s accelerated growth, and the science is there to support it, regardless of what empty headed politicians, or jabbering voices on the internet have to say about it and all of that… makes for some uncomfortable days in our world.

Yet, we go on. We persist, and we tend to put that stuff out of mind because we always believe that the right side will win and perhaps someone will step in with a breakthrough to solve our problems. Which has sadly, created a certain level of detachment on issues we need to be cognizant and vigilant of and well… it’s getting harder to just go about our day. Since freedoms are being rolled back in a clear attempt to seize power and control, especially in America, and those eighty-degree days in November are becoming more commonplace. All of which are warning signs, the kind that leave us wondering… how then… do we get the world to wake up and understand we need to do something. Well stories help with that, since they can bring stuff that ‘doesn’t happen to us’ right into our living room, as evidenced by a new horror film on Shudder, Humane.

A feat that this story accomplishes by launching us into the future. Wherein climate change has become a genuine problem and overpopulation has strained the planet’s resources and that prompts the governments of the world to unite and ask for a culling of the herd through voluntary euthanasia. To give the planet the fighting chance it so desperately needs. A move that truly shakes up the world and brings about chaos and in the York household, it all truly seems to be something distant and far away. For they are well-to-do and connected thanks to their father’s time in the world of journalism. But on this night… the reality of the world is coming home for the Yorks. For Charles, their father has opted to volunteer for the procedure with their stepmother, Dawn. But when Dawn gets cold feet… the government agents assigned to bringing in two bodies make it clear… someone else in the family must die on this night, and it will be up to the surviving siblings to choose whom.

Enrico Colantoni as Bob in Caitlin Cronenberg’s HUMANE. (Photo Courtesy of Ste Wilkie. An IFC Films and Shudder Release.)

Which is… the perfect way to explore how detached most of us are from the ills of the world and that plot helps us to understand how real they truly are and how it is only a matter of time before such matters touch us, and that brings forth a supremely poignant film. One that at times feels a little too real, since the crisis at hand plays out akin to Covid, by first being on television screens before sneaking into homes. But that is by design. Since the film is designed to make us uncomfortable and make us understand that we cannot hide from the ills of the world, and we must face them head on in a mature manner that is the opposite of how the Yorks handle it. Which may seem over the top, but that is the point, since clearly… we have no time to waste on such matters, and the movie uses this scenario and the film’s antagonist Bob, to offer a subtle solution. In that, we need to be involved in political and world affairs and speak up and demand better of our leaders. So, we can enact change, and keep guys like Bob from gaining traction.

But while that does bring about some amazing commentary and definitely leaves the viewer with plenty to think upon, none of that seems akin to horror at first glance. Since we are just talking about a potential future outcome born from ignorance. But there are moments of terror to be found here, and they come courtesy of the York family. Who when presented with life or death, become quite feral in nature and remind us of the cruelty we are capable of and that leads to some supremely unsettling moments. The kind that reminds us of how quickly things can fall apart and how ugly we can be when the circumstances are perfect. Ergo, the real horror here is the darkness we all carry within us, and things get so bleak in this feature, one is left to wonder if there will ever be a way forward for this family.

All of which brings forth, a savagely brilliant horror film. One that truly taps into real world fears and concerns to give rise to a terrifying ‘what if?’ type of story that could become quite real if we continue with the belief that someone else will step in and the system will right itself. For this story reminds that we are part of something big, and what we do has impact as much as the big guys and that we must be more vigilant and aware of what we do, and that makes this… an important, must-see feature. Because it offers that wakeup call that so many need right now and it is delivered through amazing acting and equally as slick direction from Caitlin Cronenberg, and hopefully this film does indeed motivate discussion and impact change at a time when the status quo is something to fear.

Watch ‘Humane’

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