The science fiction genre features a lot of familiar ideas. Different authors could create a thousand stories out of a single technological innovation. Sometimes the tech is just a means to an end. Other stories focus entirely on the technical details. Some of the worst examples of science fiction take a dim lens to a concept explored elsewhere. Look atGamer, a film with no new ideas and a silly perspective on its existing ones.
Gerard Butler has oneof the more unusual career trajectories in Hollywood. A lot of his movies are essentially the same movie, but he frequently takes breaks for incomprehensible sci-fi schlock. As long as he can shout, say gruff one-liners, and shoot people, he’ll be there. It seems to work out better when the setup is less complex, but filmmakers will eventually try every conceivable combination.
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What isGamerAbout?
Gamertakes place in a grim technocratic near-future reality ruled almost entirely by anall-powerful tech company. A megalomaniacal computer programmer named Ken Castle has invented a neural implant that allows a human body to be remotely controlled. He subsequently becomes the wealthiest man alive. Castle’s hardware is used for a game calledSociety, essentiallySecond Lifewith real people as avatars. Participants are paid an embarrassingly small sum to forfeit access to their bodies and watch in horror through their own eyes as they are abused.Societyis a groundbreaking success, prompting Castle to develop a spiritual successor. His new game,Slayers, pits death row inmates against one anotherin battle royale-style shootouts. Any participant who survives 30 battles will earn their freedom.
The film’s hero is Kable, the most successfulSlayerscontestant since the game’s inception. Kable is exclusively controlled by Simon, a 17-year-oldprofessional gamer whose streamshave become a worldwide sensation. Kable has survived 27 rounds ofSlayer. Castle is determined never to let one of his victims get away, so he unleashes a ringer into the competition. In the meantime, a group of underground hacktivists called the “Humanz” work to unseat Castle’s control over the country. Kable’s estranged wife finds herself struggling to make ends meet, forcing her to become a plaything ofSociety. As the world turns against them, Simon and Kable need to work together to escape Castle and save Kable’s wife.
Where DidGamerGo Wrong?
Some of the ideas behindGamerare interesting. The concept ofSocietyisan effective body horrorsetup that also addresses the way tech companies commodify human lives. Elements of that side of the story are weirdly prescient, drawing attention to concepts people weren’t dealing with in 2009, but are very aware of today. It brings to mind very poor people being tasked with embarrassing or self-destructive tasks for tiny payouts over the internet. Unfortunately, as clever asSocietyis in concept, its execution is less impressive. A glance at the trailer forGamerwill reveal its actual focus. The film wants to start and end every story beat with an action scene. There’s no room for nuance, clever subtext, or even the obvious dawning horror ofSocietyin concept. Few characters are treated as people, making it tough to sympathize with anyone. It’s as if the filmmakers were less interested in seeing the humanity in the oppressed and more interested in dunking on its supposed oppressors.
Gamerhas all the ingredients to create a sharp sci-fi satire, but it just can’t put its focus where it needs to be.The tech billionaire is clearly evil, but he’s portrayed with a bizarre level of charm and a full-on dance sequence that belies his unpleasantness. He’s either a lovable cad or a cartoon supervillain. The cast is fun. Michael C. Hall depicts Castle as a mix of Mark Zuckerberg and Alex Jones. His chief henchman is Terry Crews, who appears to be enjoying himself if nothing else. Gerard Butler is on autopilot as usual. Logan Lerman is good enough as Simon, though he’s never asked to carry too much weight. The only characters the film seems to hate unreservedlyare the titular gamers. It’s a nasty, stupid, grim depiction of the wrong people.Gamertakes place in a sad world, but the directors refuse to point fingers in the right direction.
Gameris a dumb film with smart concepts. It’s afilm in which Gerard Butlervomits and urinates alcohol into a gas tank to fuel a car. It’s also a film in which the poor are turned into sentientSimsfor the wealthy and the government is handily controlled by a powerful tech company. There’s fun to be had withGamer, but it refuses anything as sharp as satire. It’s a film full of spite, ugliness, and misplaced hatred.Gamercould have been so much more interesting, but it’s pretty funny as it is.
