Humane is a 2024 horror film that recently started streaming on Hulu, set in a dystopian future where environmental collapse forces governments to implement euthanasia programs to control the population. The story centers around a former news broadcaster who gathers his adult children to announce his decision to participate in such a program. Framing it as an act of personal redemption and a way to contribute to the planet’s survival, but his announcement comes as a shock to the family and sets off a series of explosive events, causing each family member to take a closer look at their lives up to that point.
The story is gripping and hard to turn away from as it looks into the ethics of population control, mortality, regret, secrets, and more. The story is thought-provoking and haunting, with a heavy emphasis on visual storytelling and a subdued color palette reflecting the grim reality of the collapsing world.
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Top actors
Peter Gallagher
Peter Gallagher does a wonderful job as the family patriarch and Charles York brings authenticity to the role. He was in dozens of popular movies and shows, including Grace and Frankie and Law and Order.
Emily Hampshire
Fans of Schitt’s Creek will find Emily Hampshire almost unrecognizable as the hard-nosed daughter of Charles, who is ready to do whatever is necessary to stay alive.
Jay Baruchel
Jay Baruchel, who also starred in Fubar, The Moodys, and Robot Bullies, is perfect as the troubled son of Charles, who is most affected by the news.
Enrico Colantoni
Enrico Colantoni, of Just Shoot Me fame, is one of the best villains I’ve seen in a long time. He perfectly switches from a nice guy to an evil government employee with a chip on his shoulder.
Behind the scenes facts
- Humane marks the feature film directorial debut of Caitlin Cronenberg, daughter of renowned filmmaker David Cronenberg, who had an established career in photography before moving to film.
- The concept for Humane originated from a simple note that read “family dinner.”
- The majority of the film was shot at Ravenscliffe Castle, providing an atmospheric backdrop that enhanced the film’s tense and intimate setting.
- Bob’s Instagram account, @whataboutbob42 is an actual account with an image of only four unpopped popcorn kernels in the bag as described in the film.
- Director Caitlin Cronenberg made deliberate casting decisions to align with the film's themes and selected actors known for their comedic roles to play more serious characters to add depth and complexity to the narrative.
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