Watch Youtopia

Youtopia is a 2018 Italian movie that can be categorized as a drama-thriller. The movie is directed by Berardo Carboni and features an ensemble cast, including Donatella Finocchiaro, Alessandro Haber, and Matilda De Angelis. The movie is set in the near future, where the world is facing an environmental collapse caused by overconsumption and the depletion of the Earth's natural resources. In this grim scenario, a corporation named Life Extension is offering a solution - a chance to escape from Earth and start a new life on a distant planet called Eurydice.

The movie follows the journey of ten individuals who have been selected by Life Extension to take part in a lottery, which will decide who will get the opportunity to start a new life on Eurydice. Out of the ten, the movie mainly focuses on four characters - Marta (Donatella Finocchiaro), a middle-aged single mother; Adam (Alessandro Haber), an elderly man; Anna (Matilda De Angelis), a young woman from a troubled background, and Lukas (Lorenzo Richelmy), an idealistic young man.

As the four main characters journey through the selection process for the lottery, they face various obstacles and ethical dilemmas. For instance, they have to undergo rigorous physical and psychological tests, sign a contract that binds them to Life Extension for the rest of their lives, and abandon all their belongings and connections with the past. They also have to contend with the manipulative tactics of Life Extension's representatives, who try to undermine their trust in each other and in the system.

The movie raises various themes and questions about the meaning of life, the value of human relationships, and the consequences of greed and desperation. The characters are all flawed and complex, and their motivations and actions are not always clear-cut. Marta, for example, struggles with guilt about leaving her son behind on Earth, while Adam grapples with regret about a past love affair. Anna is haunted by traumatic memories of abuse, while Lukas is torn between his love for Anna and his moral convictions.

Throughout the movie, there are also hints of a broader conspiracy behind Life Extension's plan, and the characters start to suspect that there is more at stake than just a chance to escape Earth. The tension and suspense build up as the characters try to uncover the truth and outmaneuver their rivals in the lottery.

Overall, Youtopia is a thought-provoking and engaging movie that combines elements of science fiction, social commentary, and character drama. The direction is stylish and immersive, with effective use of visual and aural motifs, such as the recurring image of a floating dandelion seed. The acting is also strong, with the main cast delivering nuanced and convincing performances.

The movie does have some weaknesses, such as occasional lapses in pacing and some underdeveloped subplots and characters. There are also some cliched and predictable moments, especially in the third act. However, these flaws do not undermine the overall quality and impact of the movie.

In conclusion, if you are a fan of dystopian stories, complex characters, and moral dilemmas, Youtopia is definitely worth checking out. It offers a compelling and unsettling vision of the future, while also reminding us of the timeless struggles and joys of the human condition.

Youtopia is a 2018 drama with a runtime of 91 hours. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.2.