Watch Violentia

Violentia is a science fiction movie that explores the possibility of eradicating violence from human behavior. Set in a not-too-distant future, the movie follows Dr. Adam Anderson (David James Lewis), a brilliant physicist who, in collaboration with his colleague Dr. May Zelevinsky (Emily Holmes), develops a device that can reprogram the neural pathways in the brain to eliminate violent tendencies.

Initially hesitant to test the device on humans, Adam and May start with rats and quickly see positive results. Encouraged by their success, they decide to conduct human trials but run into opposition from their funding source, a private military contractor. When the contractor, General Semantics (Mackenzie Gray), finds out that the device has the potential to create docile and mindless soldiers, he pulls their funding and threatens to expose their research.

Adam, torn between his moral duty to help humanity and his fear of the device falling into the wrong hands, takes matters into his own hands and uses the device on himself. The experiment not only erases his violent tendencies but also enhances his cognitive abilities, allowing him to think and process information faster than any natural human. This newfound power and understanding of the world outside of his previous perception comes with a price, however, as Adam begins to lose touch with reality.

As Adam's mental state deteriorates, he becomes increasingly distant from May and his brother, who are both struggling to understand and help him. Meanwhile, General Semantics sends his henchmen after Adam in an attempt to retrieve the device and sell it to the highest bidder.

The film's exploration of the moral and ethical implications of eliminating violence from human behavior is thought-provoking and insightful. It raises questions about the nature of humanity and the role that violent behavior plays in shaping society. The movie touches on themes of power, control, and the responsibility that comes with scientific discoveries.

The acting in the movie is top-notch, with David James Lewis delivering an emotional and nuanced performance as Adam. Emily Holmes also shines as May, portraying a conflicted scientist who is torn between her loyalty to her friend and her fear of the device's potential consequences. Mackenzie Gray brings a menacing presence as General Semantics, a ruthless and greedy military contractor who stops at nothing to achieve his goals.

The film's pacing is deliberate but not slow, giving the audience ample time to understand and empathize with the characters. The visual effects are minimal but effective, with the device's activation sequence being a standout moment in the movie.

Overall, Violentia is a compelling and thought-provoking science fiction movie that explores complex themes in a subtle and nuanced manner. David James Lewis, Emily Holmes, and Mackenzie Gray deliver standout performances in a film that will leave audiences reflecting on the nature of humanity and the power of science.

Violentia is a 2018 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.4.