About movie : "Turn Me On" is a 2024 American dystopian romantic comedy film set in a near future where human emotion has been eradicated by a government-imposed daily vitamin. The story follows a young couple who begin to skip their doses, leading them to rediscover life in all its unfiltered glory, including love, joy, sex, and the emotional baggage that comes with it.
Plot summary: In a society where emotions are suppressed by a daily vitamin, a young couple, Joy and William, decide to stop taking their medication. As they experience emotions for the first time, they fall in love and explore the full spectrum of human feelings. However, they also have to confront the challenges and complexities that come with these emotions and the baggage of their past.
Director's Vision: Michael Tyburski, known for his previous film "The Sound of Silence," likely aimed to explore the importance of human emotion and connection in a world that seeks to eliminate them. The film appears to be a blend of dystopian themes with romantic comedy elements, suggesting a vision that balances social commentary with an engaging and relatable love story.
Themes:
Importance of Emotion: The central theme revolves around the value and necessity of human emotions, both positive and negative, for a fulfilling life. The film contrasts the sterile, emotionless existence with the vibrant, albeit complicated, experience of feeling.
Love and Connection: As the couple rediscovers emotions, love becomes a significant theme, highlighting the power of human connection and intimacy.
Individuality vs. Conformity: The government's suppression of emotion represents a forced conformity, and the couple's decision to stop taking the vitamin is an act of rebellion and a reclaiming of their individuality.
The Complexity of Human Experience: The film acknowledges that with emotions come challenges, pain, and "baggage," suggesting that the full human experience is not always easy but is ultimately richer and more meaningful.
Dystopian Society: The backdrop of a society controlled by emotion-suppressing drugs explores classic dystopian themes of control, freedom, and the suppression of natural human instincts.
Key success factors:
Compelling Premise: The concept of a world without emotions and a couple rediscovering them offers a unique and engaging premise that can attract a wide audience.
Charming Performances: Bel Powley and Nick Robinson deliver engaging performances that effectively convey the experience of discovering emotions.
Blend of Genres: The combination of dystopian science fiction with romantic comedy appealed to fans of both genres, creating a broader appeal.
Exploration of Universal Themes: The film delves into the significance of emotions, love, and individuality, which resonate with a wide audience.
Positive Audience Reception: The significantly higher audience score compared to the critics' score suggests the film connected well with general viewers.
Summary short: In a future where emotions are suppressed by a daily pill, a young couple's decision to stop taking it leads them to a vibrant world of love, joy, and the complexities of human feeling.
Awards and nominations : "Turn Me On" received recognition at the 2024 San Sebastián International Film Festival, winning the Youth Jury Award for Best Film and being nominated for the New Directors Award for Michael Tyburski. Additionally, the screenplay by Angela Bourassa won the Gold Prize for Best Science Fiction Script at the 2019 PAGE International Screenwriting Awards.
Critics reception: Critics offered a mixed to positive reception for "Turn Me On." On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 67% Tomatometer score, with the critical consensus highlighting the charming performances and sweet exploration of emotions, while noting the familiarity of the dystopian premise. Metacritic assigned a score of 60 out of 100, indicating mixed or average reviews, with praise for the concept and lead performances but some criticism regarding the depth of exploration. The Guardian gave it 4 out of 5 stars, calling it intelligent and funny with tender insights into human emotions. Entertainment Focus described it as a quirky dystopian drama with standout performances but noted some pacing issues. Overall, critics appreciated the premise and acting but found some aspects of the execution could have been stronger.
Reviews: Online reviews from general audiences have been more positive. On IMDb, the movie has a user rating of 5.6 out of 10, with varied opinions but some praising its interesting premise and good ending. The audience score on Rotten Tomatoes is a strong 75%, indicating overall positive enjoyment. Reviews often highlight the chemistry between Bel Powley and Nick Robinson, the relatable portrayal of discovering emotions, and the film's overall enjoyable nature. Many viewers found it to be a refreshing and lighter take on dystopian themes with a heartwarming story.
Production: Principal photography for "Turn Me On" took place between November 2022 and mid-May 2023, marking a collaborative effort involving production companies from the USA and sales and distribution companies from multiple countries.
Production companies:
Truant Pictures (USA)
Blue Creek Pictures (USA)
Sales companies:
Film Constellation (UK, France) - Handled worldwide sales for all media formats starting in 2022.
Distribution companies:
Vertical Entertainment (USA) - Acquired North American distribution rights for theatrical release in 2025.
Falcon Films (Lebanon) - Responsible for distribution in the Middle East & North Africa, with release in 2024 across all media formats.
Signature Entertainment (UK) - Handled video distribution in the United Kingdom, with release in 2024.
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt18161082/
Link Review: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/oct/29/turn-me-on-review-dystopias-kindly-new-manners
Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/turn-me-on (US), https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/turn-me-on (UK), https://www.justwatch.com/ca/movie/turn-me-on (Canada)
Theatrical release: The film had its world premiere at the San Sebastián International Film Festival on September 24, 2024. The theatrical release in the United States was on January 10, 2025.
Why to recommend this movie:
Unique and Thought-Provoking Concept: The premise of a world without emotions offers a fresh and interesting perspective on human nature.
Charming Performances: Bel Powley and Nick Robinson deliver engaging performances that effectively convey the experience of discovering emotions.
Blend of Genres: The combination of dystopian science fiction with romantic comedy provides an entertaining and engaging viewing experience.
Exploration of Important Themes: The film delves into the significance of emotions, love, and individuality, which can resonate with a wide audience.
Positive Audience Reception: Many viewers have enjoyed the film's heartwarming story and the lead actors' chemistry.
Why to Watch Movie:
Intriguing Storyline: The journey of a couple discovering emotions for the first time promises to be both heartwarming and humorous.
Timely Social Commentary: The film's themes about emotional suppression and the value of authentic experience can be particularly relevant in today's society.
Michael Tyburski's Direction: Following his critically acclaimed film "The Sound of Silence," Tyburski brings a thoughtful and artistic approach to the material.
Potential for a Satisfying Emotional Arc: Witnessing the characters' emotional awakening and their relationship develop could provide a rewarding cinematic experience.
What Movie Trend film is following:
Dystopian Romance: The film aligns with the trend of dystopian narratives that incorporate romantic elements, exploring personal relationships within a controlled or oppressive society. Examples include "Equals" and "The Host."
What Big Social Trend is following:
Focus on Mental Health and Emotional Well-being: In a world increasingly aware of mental health, the film's exploration of emotional suppression and rediscovery taps into conversations about the importance of feeling and processing emotions in a healthy way.
Final Verdict: "Turn Me On" is a charming and thought-provoking film that successfully blends dystopian science fiction with romantic comedy. Driven by strong performances from Bel Powley and Nick Robinson, it offers a unique perspective on the importance of human emotions and connections. While critical reception was mixed, the positive audience response suggests that the film resonates with viewers looking for a heartwarming and engaging story with timely themes.
Recommendations for movie industry:
Continue to support independent filmmakers who explore unique and thought-provoking concepts.
Encourage genre blending to create fresh and engaging narratives that can appeal to diverse audiences.
Recognize and promote films that tackle relevant social issues in creative and accessible ways.
Pay attention to the audience response to films, as it can often differ from critical reception and indicate a film's broader appeal.
Facilitate opportunities for independent films to reach wider audiences through diverse distribution channels, including streaming platforms, after their theatrical runs.
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