The justice system is criminal.|Aug. 16, 2021|United States|93 Min.|R
Genre: Comedy;Crime;Drama
Description: Combining genres in films is a complex task. If not executed seamlessly, it can feel disjointed and disrupt the narrative. Successful examples include *A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night*, blending horror, Western, and romance, and *Baby Driver*, which merges heist and musical elements. Chase Palmer, in his debut feature *Naked Singularity*, attempts to intertwine legal drama, science fiction, and heist tropes, adapting Sergio De La Pava’s acclaimed 2013 novel. Despite its bold and quirky tone, the film struggles with identity, leaving viewers craving more depth by the end.
The story centers on Casi (John Boyega), a passionate public defender witnessing the collapse of the justice system. Despite his best efforts, he faces constant battles with unfair legal processes that he cannot change alone, leading to growing disillusionment. Clashing with Judge Cymbeline (Linda Lavin) and witnessing the injustices faced by his clients, Casi begins to question whether his ideals of justice are nothing more than illusions.
Lea (Olivia Cooke), a former client of Casi, also grapples with despair. Haunted by the stigma of a past minor drug offense, she struggles to find a fresh start. Trapped in a job she despises, Lea seeks to break free, making questionable choices along the way, such as aiding Craig (Ed Skrein), a small-time thief, in stealing a heroin shipment from a powerful cartel after a Tinder encounter.
Cast director: Chase Palmer
Cast actor: John Boyega, Olivia Cooke, Bill Skarsgård, Ed Skrein, Linda Lavin, Tim Blake Nelson, Kyle Mooney, Robert Christopher Riley, Robert T. Bogue, K. Todd Freeman
Original name: Naked Singularity