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Netflix’s 'A World Without', a promising dystopian coming-of-age film that fails to land
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Seeking meaning: (From left to right) Tara (Asmara Abigail), Salina (Amanda Rawles) and Ulfah (Maizura) are three best friends who join The Light in search of their own happiness. (Netflix) (Archive/Courtesy of Netflix)
N
ia Dinata’s A World Without tries to incorporate social criticism in a dystopian coming-of-age story – sadly, it comes up short.
A World Without opens with three best friends riding a bus on their way to join an exclusive community called The Light. Ten years from now – after the pandemic is over – falling birthrates force the country to outlaw dating and prompt debates over marriageable age.
Led by an enigmatic man named Ali Khan (Chicco Jerikho) and his wife, Sofia (Ayushita), The Light offers a shelter for teenagers who wish to marry once they turn 17. After being selected, these teenagers are put in dormitory rooms to learn skills – such as domestic arts for the girls.
Ali apparently has come up with a system that uses algorithms to determine relationship compatibility. Every now and then, two members of The Light are “paired” and a charming wedding ceremony follows. An idyllic apartment awaits for each newlywed couple – as well as steady jobs for both of them.
Salina (Amanda Rawles) longs for a father figure after the death of her own, while Ulfah (Maizura) simply wants to settle down and have kids. Tara (Asmara Abigail), the sassiest of the three, determines to reinvent herself after having lived a dark chapter triggered by her own recklessness.
As the movie unfolds, the three learn about the community’s secrets and realize that, while wishes can come true, they all come with a price.
Directed by Nia Dinata, who wrote the script with Lucky Kuswandi, the film attempts to portray issues such as women’s rights, social media, marriage age and domestic violence.
