The Dystopian Sci-Fi Western With An A-List Cast Has Been Totally Forgotten, Stream Without Netflix
Young Ones, the 2014 sci-fi action movie written and directed by Jake Paltrow, is available to stream on various platforms. The story is set in a dystopian future where water is scarce, and society has collapsed. The film stars Michael Shannon, Nicholas Hoult, and Elle Fanning. The supporting cast includes Kodi Smit-McPhee, Robert Hobbs, David Butler, Aimee Mullins, and Christy Pankhurst.
The Young Ones Shows A Very Dry Dystopian Future
The Young Ones movie begins in a drought-stricken United States, where water is so scarce that people kill for it. The story focuses on Ernest Holm (Michael Shannon), who lives with his children, Jerome (Kodi Smit-McPhee) and Mary (Elle Fanning), in a small house. His wife Katherine (Aimee Mullins) stays in a local hospital after an accident destroyed her ability to walk without the help of a special frame.
Power Struggle Between Families And Generations
Despite others abandoning the area, Ernest and his family remain as he believes the land will thrive again with irrigation. He supports his family by delivering supplies to the “water men,” who control the water distribution from deep wells. When his mule breaks its legs, Ernest buys a robotic carrier called Simulit Shadow (“Sim”) from Sam Lever’s auction, outbidding Sam’s son, Flem (Nicholas Hoult).
Earnest is unaware that Mary and Flem have been seeing each other in secret. When Sim goes missing, Ernest finds Flem using it to steal supplies to sell at the border. As the tension between the pair escalates, Flem devises a plan to take over Ernest’s farm. The Young Ones movie follows the power struggle while exploring the harsh realities of surviving in a world where water is worth more than gold.
Deemed To Be Mid By Critics
The Young Ones movie was shot in Namaqualand, Northern Cape in South Africa, which provided the arid and rugged landscapes necessary to depict the water-deprived future. The film received lukewarm reviews from critics, as evidenced by the 47 percent rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. While some praised the film’s ambitious vision, others felt that it was derivative of other dystopian stories.
A Movie Made Without An Audience In Mind
Young Ones premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2014, which helped gain some initial attention. However, the movie had a limited theatrical release, and its modest earnings failed to recoup its production budget. Moreover, the film’s niche appeal and limited marketing contributed to its poor financial performance.
Hoult And Fanning Kept Working Together
The primary cast of the Young Ones movie went on to have success is various projects. Michael Shannon continued to solidify his reputation as a versatile actor and is known for intense performances. He starred in critically acclaimed films such as 99 Homes (2014), Midnight Special (2016), and The Shape of Water (2017), for which he received an Academy Award nomination.
Nicholas Hoult’s career has flourished after the Young Ones movie. He starred in high-profile films like Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), The Favorite (2018), and the X-Men reboot franchise as Beast. Elle Fanning continued to establish herself as a prominent actress, appearing in films like The Neon Demon (2016) and A Rainy Day in New York (2019). She also starred in the Hulu series The Great alongside Hoult.
Despite its lackluster reviews, Young Ones is a visually compelling movie that features strong performances from its cast. The film is available on various streaming platforms, such as Pluto TV, Freevee, and Tubi, among others.
