Captive State (2019)

Plot of Captive State: The world has been invaded by aliens and the population subdued, all humans having a bug inserted in their brains so that they can be tracked. The humans have also constructed habitats underground for the aliens and large number of them have become representatives of the aliens, termed ‘Legislators’, fulfilling the roles of administrators the government and the police.  Commander William Mulligan is a policeman who has links with a prostitute, Jane Doe and who initiates a relationship with Gabriel a young man, whose father had been William’s partner back in the past. The policeman is looking for information about a terrorist organisation, Phoenix, but Gabriel tells him nothing. Later Gabriel meets with Rafe, his brother and leader of the resistance. The resistance is preparing for a major event at a rally which is to take place at an arena in Chicago. To carry out their attack they use an invisible alien explosive and it appears to have been successful. However, the core group of the resistance are tracked down by alien mercenaries and killed or commit suicide. Rafe is shown to Gabriel being tortured, and William has the privilege of being invited to the alien’s underground habitat. But is he what he seems?

Content: No sex or nudity and virtually no smoking or alcohol consumption. At one point there is film of the resistance guys having the bugs removed from their brains. The bugs look like maggots and are kept in small cases and used by the underground. Gabriel and others sometimes wear collars with some sort of software inside, which I think stopped the bugs working – obviously before they were removed.  The opening scene is of the boys, Gabriel and Rafe, in the back seat of their car as their parents try to escape the aliens. The parents are vapourised by the aliens which seem to be very hairy things, although one gets its facial hair torn off to reveal a sort of skull.  Mostly Gabriel is running about and hiding in the desolate areas of Chicago. He also works in a facility reviewing memory cards. William is also prowling about. He meets Jane Doe and they obviously have a relationship.  A memory card given to Gabriel by William reveals much.  

A View: This film was a box office bomb. It is obvious that Goodman and Farmiga are only there to attract us. Words almost fail me. I suspect that there is a better film in there somewhere, but that the editing process has resulted in a whole load of virtually dislocated scenes mostly of people running about in murky conditions and talking in whispering tones, before being outsmarted by the aliens who appear as sort of hairy monsters. I saw a long haired bear in an animal video yesterday which reminded me of them.  But basically even if you are a fan of alien invasions, give this one a miss.

Fun Fact: This is one of those films where I look for a fun fact, but can’t find any.