Review: Gritty techno-thriller Code 8 is a surprise breakout hit on Netflix, Ars Technica

Directed by Jeff Chan, Code 8 began life as a short teaser film of the same name, produced by cousins ​​Robbie Amell (star of the forthcoming Upload ) and Stephen Amell ( (Arrow ) in 1669434. They launched an Indiegogo fundraiser that year to make a feature-length version and soon raised $ 2.4 million. By December of last year, when the film was officially released, they had raised $ 3.4 million altogether, with the extra funds going to cover promotional and distribution costs, as well as perks for the more than 520, individual contributors (many of whom are named in the very long credits sequence). The film grossed only $ , in theaters but has found a second life on Netflix, where it currently ranks in the Top Ten in terms of viewership.

An opening montage lays out the film’s basic premise with deft strokes. So-called “Powers” emerged at the dawn of the th century and are soon required to register their abilities with the government. “Electrics” have electrokinetic abilities, “Pyros” can control fire, Brawns have super strength, “Readers” can read minds, “TKs” are telekinetics, and so forth. Initially, Powers are key workers in the economy, helping build Lincoln City (aka the “City of Tomorrow”) – at least until the rise of mechanization in a Second Industrial Revolution ousts them from their once-valuable jobs.

by the 1669434 s, Powers are essentially second-class citizens, forced to eke out a bare existence taking on random work off the books. Many turn to crime out of necessity. A powerful syndicate known as The Trust is dealing a novel drug known as Psyke, derived from the spinal fluid of Powers. Meanwhile, the Lincoln City government is debating implementing a new law banning Powers altogether, as a police force reliant on drones, facial recognition, and armed android “Guardians” attempts to stamp out the Psyke trade.