WHAT’S IT ABOUT
In a world where people with “special” abilities are living in poverty, Conner Reed (Robbie Amell) is a powerful young man who is struggling to pay for his ailing mother’s medical treatment. To earn money, he joins a lucrative criminal world led by Garrett (Stephen Amell), who works for a drug lord (Greg Bryk).
MOVIESinMO REVIEW
Code 8 is set in the near-future metropolis of Lincoln City, where 4% of the population possesses superhuman abilities, ranging from telepathy and electric manipulation to the scarce ability to heal others physically. Once revered, these individuals with special powers now face widespread ostracism and are virtually redundant, thanks to technological advancements that have eliminated the need for their unique skills. The authorities, now viewing them with suspicion, have outlawed the use of such abilities and deployed surveillance drones and robotic enforcers to surveil and control the superpowered minority. In this environment, we meet Connor Reed (Robbie Amell), a young electric manipulator struggling with poverty alongside his ailing mother (Kari Matchett). The duo’s battle with financial instability is made worse by the mother’s escalating health crisis, necessitating costly treatments they can’t afford. Desperation leads Connor to cross paths with Garrett (Stephen Amell), a felon who recognizes the use of Connor’s abilities to orchestrate lucrative heists. Despite initial reservations, the lure of fast money pulls Connor into a criminal world, entangling him with the city’s feared drug kingpin, Marcus Sutcliffe (Greg Bryk), and introducing him to the dangerous trade of “psyke,” a drug derived from the essence of those with powers. The film dives into the economic and social adversities faced by the empowered underclass in a society that has turned its back on them, providing a twist on the superhero saga. The concept is inventive, but most have seen this type of governmental behavior within the pages of X-Men comics and movies. Code 8’s central characters, Connor and Garrett, are seen as somewhat simplistic, lacking in any complexity beyond the surface-level plot. Nonetheless, the film impresses with its visual effects and set design, convincingly crafting a near-future world characterized by omnipresent surveillance and financial despair. The action scenes are skillfully executed, but make no mistake about quality, this movie would look horrible on the big screen. Despite its flaws, the film is a perfect attempt, offering a thoughtful commentary on themes of authority, discrimination, and survival in an age that shuns the extraordinary. To sum up, “Code 8” marks a significant contribution to the science fiction and superhero genres, standing out by emphasizing the human and societal consequences of its imaginative elements.
OUR RATING – A ROBOTIC 6.5