“Chaos Walking” (2021), directed by Doug Liman, is a dystopian science fiction film based on the Chaos Walking trilogy by Patrick Ness, specifically the first novel, The Knife of Never Letting Go. Starring Tom Holland as Todd Hewitt and Daisy Ridley as Viola Eade, the film had a tumultuous production and received mixed to negative reviews upon release.

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Plot Summary:

Set in a dystopian future on a distant planet where all women have disappeared and men’s thoughts are audible to everyone around them (known as “The Noise”), the story follows Todd, a young man who stumbles upon Viola, the first woman he’s ever seen. As she crash-lands on the planet, Todd must protect her from the town’s oppressive leader, Mayor Prentiss (Mads Mikkelsen), while grappling with the relentless chaos of hearing everyone’s inner thoughts.

Performances:

Tom Holland and Daisy Ridley are both praised for their individual performances, though many critics noted that the film didn’t give them enough material to truly shine. Holland brings an earnestness to Todd’s character, while Ridley’s portrayal of Viola captures a sense of fear and resilience. Mads Mikkelsen delivers a menacing performance as the villainous Mayor Prentiss, though his character remains underdeveloped.

Visuals and World-Building:

The film’s visual effects and portrayal of “The Noise” are often cited as a highlight. The concept of externalized thoughts is represented by swirling visual effects around characters’ heads, which adds a unique element to the world-building. However, some reviewers found the execution of “The Noise” inconsistent and at times confusing. The rural, alien landscape, shot in wide vistas and dark forests, evokes a frontier-style environment, which fits the film’s gritty tone.

Criticism:

“Chaos Walking” faced criticism for its pacing, world-building, and plot execution. Many felt that the story was too rushed and that the intriguing premise was not explored to its full potential. As The Guardian noted, “the world-building falls flat and it feels more like a sketch of a bigger idea” . Additionally, the film suffered from tonal inconsistencies, bouncing between action, sci-fi, and a coming-of-age drama without fully committing to any one genre.

The film’s troubled production history, including extensive reshoots and delays, likely contributed to its uneven narrative. What was meant to be a complex exploration of gender dynamics, survival, and control of thought, instead became a relatively straightforward chase movie.

Reception :

Chaos Walking was not well-received by critics or audiences, holding a 21% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and mixed reviews from publications like Variety and The Hollywood Reporter. The common criticism was that the film lacked depth and failed to do justice to the rich source material. Audiences unfamiliar with the books found the film confusing, while fans of the series were disappointed by the superficial adaptation of the complex themes and characters.

Conclusion:

Despite a strong cast and an intriguing premise, Chaos Walking falters in its execution. The film’s ambition is overshadowed by its disjointed narrative, lackluster world-building, and missed opportunities to explore its deeper themes. Fans of dystopian sci-fi might still find it visually engaging, but the movie struggles to stand out in a crowded genre.