Powerful kids fight to survive in The Darkest Minds
The latest engrossing book-to-film adaptation The Darkest Minds is set in a very near future society where most of the nation’s children have perished — all victims of a terrible disease. The surviving children are considered to be dangerous Enemies of the State because they possess extraordinary powers and therefore pose a threat to the government.
In the movie, the nation is in a state of crisis, 98 percent of the children have died. For the few who remain, it’s a fight to stay alive. The kids and teenagers, who all have remarkable powers and abilities, have been taken from their families and sent for brutal “rehabilitation.” Here they are segregated by color according to how dangerous to society they are deemed to be. Amandla Stenberg plays Ruby who is an “Orange” — signifying that she is a major threat because she can read minds and manipulate memory. She escapes and meets new friends, young survivors from different camps. Among them is Liam, played by Harris Dickinson. There’s an immediate attraction between the two. Also starring are Skylan Brooks as Chubs and Miya Cech as Zu. On the road, the kids empower themselves and discov- er a sense of family.
Directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson, whose previous hit movies include Kung Fu Panda 2 and 3, The Darkest Minds is her impressive first foray into live action.
The Darkest Minds hinged on audiences identifying with the characters’ struggles and being able to see themselves in this nightmare. “We wanted this to feel like a reality that we live in today and recognize,” says Nelson. “It’s what makes the powers unique, they contrast with our otherwise normal reality. You should be able to imagine being able to go out right now and see someone doing these amazing things, so we didn’t want to place this film in some far off time period or futuristic and obscure place. We want audiences to believe this could happen.”
“This movie transcends all ages,” says Nelson. “It’s not just about being a teenager. Everyone has been in that place when they are not completely comfortable with who they are. It’s about facing the things about you that you aren’t happy with, that you consider a flaw, and being able to grow into this place of being able to embrace those things. Being able to access what makes you unique and use it as a strength. This story follows a character that, in the beginning, is powerless and essentially frightened and ashamed of what she is. And by the end, you watch her grow. You watch her become this empowered strong character being able to do things she never thought she could do. Everyone can identify with that journey.”
The Darkest Minds opens Aug. 1 in cinemas nationwide from 20th Century Fox.