Netflix Adds Dystopian Sci-Fi Tearjerker Inspired By Genre Classic Children Of Men

Set in 2044, Night Raiders sees North America plagued by war and environmental decay. Cities have been abandoned, and the people are ruled by a harsh military government known as the Regime. Niska and her young daughter Waseese live in the wilderness, surviving by hunting for food. During one hunting trip, Waseese injures her leg in a trap.

Later, they are forced to leave their makeshift home when discovered by a drone. Despite Waseese’s injury, they travel to the closest city. Niska insists on hiding Waseese’s identity as they navigate the dangerous urban landscape. They narrowly avoid detection when a boy Waseese befriends is apprehended by Regime soldiers.

After escaping further encounters with drones and soldiers, they find refuge with Niska’s friend Roberta, who suggests surrendering Waseese to the Regime for medical treatment and a better life. With Waseese’s condition worsening, Niska reluctantly decides to give up her daughter, setting the stage for Night Raiders. Waseese is sent to a military academy where she trains.

A recruiter eventually singles out Waseese for the prestigious Emerson Academy. Months later, Niska is offered a chance to become an official citizen of the Regime. While attempting to infiltrate the academy, Niska is captured by Cree insurgents led by Ida. Ida believes Niska fits a prophecy of a savior from the north who will lead their children to safety.

Niska rejects the tribe’s offer and returns to the city. Amid the chaos in Night Raiders, Niska manages to escape. Niska convinces Ida to help rescue her daughter in exchange for leading the tribe’s children to safety.

Night Raiders premiered at the 71st Berlin International Film Festival in March 2021. The movie was also screened in Canada at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival and was showcased as the opening feature of the 2021 Imagine NATIVE Film and Media Arts Festival. The film hit theaters that October and became available on TVOD platforms in 2022.

The movie received generally positive reviews from critics, with reviewers applauding its cast and story. However, some critics didn’t care for its reliance on young adult fiction themes. Still, Night Raiders currently holds an 83 percent rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes based on 53 reviews. The audience score is slightly less favorable at 46 percent.

The site’s general consensus hails Night Raiders for drawing parallels between its dystopian world and contemporary society, serving as a stark reminder of lingering historical atrocities. Director Goulet has stated that the film draws inspiration from Alfonso Cuarón’s Children of Men and the military actions during the Dakota Access Pipeline protests at the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in 2016.