The Dystopian Sci-Fi Movie On Netflix That Takes Overpopulation To A Crazy Extreme

Set in a not-so-distant dystopian future, What Happened to Monday takes us into a world grappling with overpopulation and scarcity of resources. The government, led by the strict and unyielding Nicolette Cayman, played by Glenn Close, enforces a strict one-child policy.

Families exceeding this limit have their extra children cryogenically frozen, supposedly to be awoken in a better, more resource-abundant future.

Enter the Settman septuplets, seven identical sisters named after each day of the week. They’re masterfully portrayed by Noomi Rapace in a tour de force performance. In a bid to outwit the system, their grandfather, Terrence Settman (Willem Dafoe), raises them in secrecy.

Each sister is allowed to go outside only on the day they’re named after, collectively sharing a single identity: Karen Settman. Inside their apartment, they’re unique individuals, but outside, they must flawlessly mimic Karen’s persona.

The equilibrium of their carefully constructed existence shatters when Monday doesn’t return home. The remaining sisters, Tuesday through Sunday, must unravel the mystery of her disappearance.

They embark on a perilous journey, navigating a world filled with danger and deception, where each step outside could expose their secret and put their lives at risk.

As the sisters delve deeper, they uncover shocking truths about the government’s policies and the fate of the extra children. With each discovery, the stakes escalate, turning their quest into a pulse-pounding race against time.

The narrative twists and turns, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats, as the sisters fight not just for their own survival, but for the truth to be revealed.

What Happened to Monday tackles the problem of overpopulation by setting its story in a future where this issue has reached a critical point. The government, in a drastic move to control the population, has implemented a stringent one-child policy.

This policy is the film’s central mechanism for addressing overpopulation, presenting a world where the consequences of having more than one child are severe and unforgiving.

The film explores the ethical and moral dilemmas that arise from such a policy. It questions the lengths to which a government can go to control its population and the impact of such measures on personal freedoms and family life.

The cryogenic freezing of excess children serves as a chilling metaphor for the dehumanization and commodification of life in the face of overpopulation.

Moreover, the film delves into the desperation and extreme measures people are willing to take to preserve their families. The Settman septuplets’ life, a constant game of hide-and-seek with the authorities, highlights the psychological and emotional toll such a restrictive policy can have.

Through its narrative, What Happened to Monday doesn’t offer a solution to overpopulation but rather presents a cautionary tale. It encourages viewers to reflect on the consequences of extreme population control measures and the importance of finding humane and ethical solutions to global issues like overpopulation.

The film serves as a stark reminder of the potential perils of ignoring or mishandling the overpopulation crisis.

What Happened to Monday is a thrilling, high-stakes journey into a dystopian future that’s closer to reality than we might like to admit. It’s a compelling mix of action, suspense, and thought-provoking drama, wrapped up in a narrative that keeps you guessing until the end.

While the film is a gripping tale of survival and identity, it also serves as a sobering reflection on the consequences of unchecked population growth and extreme government measures.