Humane
Humane
In the wake of an environmental collapse that is forcing humanity to shed 20% of its population, a family dinner erupts into chaos when a father's plan to enlist in the government's new euthanasia program goes horribly awry.
Michael Heimgartner reviewedMarch 3, 2025
★★½ – Promising Vision, Uneven Execution
Caitlin Cronenberg steps into the family business with Humane (2024), a dystopian thriller that starts with an intriguing premise but loses steam along the way. The idea of a world where voluntary euthanasia is enforced to curb overpopulation is rich with potential, and setting the story within a single family’s tense dinner party is an interesting choice. Unfortunately, the execution doesn’t quite match the ambition.
The biggest issue is pacing—at just over 90 minutes, the film somehow feels drawn out. The suspense never fully builds, and while there are moments of dark humor and tension, they don’t always land effectively. The script presents morally complex characters, but they remain somewhat surface-level, making it hard to feel fully invested in their conflicts.
That said, the performances help elevate the material. Jay Baruchel and Emily Hampshire stand out, adding nuance to their roles. Visually, the film does a solid job of crafting a sterile, unsettling atmosphere, but it lacks the kind of bold stylistic choices that could have made it more striking.
Ultimately, Humane is a film with a strong foundation but shaky execution. It’s a decent debut for Caitlin Cronenberg, showing she has a vision, even if this particular project doesn’t fully realize it. With a tighter script and more confident direction, her next film could be something special.