Songbird

Released in 2020 and directed by Adam Mason, Songbird tells the dystopian story of a world devastated by a lethal pandemic- a path the world is veering dangerously close to in recent times. The film posses a shocking and grim projection of a foreseeable future, many elements of which may feel incredibly familiar to current audiences.

Songbird unfolds in the city of Los Angeles in 2024. COVID-23, a mutation of the current virus, has struck, and the whole world is under its ruthless grip. Having swirled around the globe in numerous waves for four years, it has caused an unimaginable loss of lives and hovers like a perpetual cloud. The virus has a mortality rate of 50%, and the infected individuals are whisked away to quarantine camps, ominously referred to as ‘Q-zones’ where they presumably die because no known survivors of those camps have ever returned.

With the people penned up inside their home, the city is a shell of its vibrant self. Streets are eeriely quiet, houses are bolted, and the military and the ‘sanitation’ department exercise fascist power. The most valuable people are the "immunes," individuals who are immune to this strain of the virus, marked out by the yellow wristbands that they wear. Our protagonist Nico, played by K.J. Apa, is one such immune. He works as a courier, his yellow band and natural immunity granting him the freedom to navigate the city and it’s dangerous and desolate streets. He’s like a modern-day mercenary, dodging government officials and black-market goons while delivering packages.

The role of Nico gives K.J. Apa the opportunity to shed his Riverdale boy-next-door image and take on a more mature, action-packed character. His romantic interest, Sara, played by Sofia Carson, is a young artist who lives with her grandmother, and together, they bring a human touch to this dystopian world. Their relationship is entirely digitized, with Nico and Sara never having met in person, creating a love story for the digital age.

Middlemen like Lester, portrayed by Craig Robinson, and his partner Harland, played by Peter Stormare, run operations amidst the chaos. Harland, the head of the 'sanitation' department, retains a menacingly authoritative presence throughout the film. Egotistical and eagerly power hungry, he attempts to manipulate the situation for his benefit.

Binding these disparate storylines is the relentless wanderer May, who, through her promising career as a fledgling singer, is trying to make the most of this graceless world. Emmy Raver-Lampman brings May to life with an effortless charm. She soon crosses paths with a war veteran named William Griffin, who uses technology to cope with loneliness. Their interaction brings hope to the film, reminding us of the resilience of the human spirit in grave times.

Songbird overwhelms with its stark portrayal of a post-pandemic world, something that felt far-fetched almost a year ago but now is all too real. The movie's grim ambiance casts a shadow of dread, yet the characters' spirit and determination cut through the bleakness. This is not a horror film, yet the eeriness of reality mirrored in fiction makes it equally unsettling. Its true terror lies not in the fiction of what could happen, but the reality of what is already happening.

The movie is shot in an eerily beautiful manner, with deserted streets and curtained houses highlighting the extent of the pandemic. There's a tension and urgency throughout that's palpable, as people's lives visibly hang by a thread. Despite its bleak scenario, the human elements of resistance, love, hope and resilience shine through, painting a picture of how society can still press on in the face of dire adversity.

Disintegrating social structures, authoritarian rules, strained relationships, and a spreading sense of panic are all chilling reminders of our own reality. However, the elements of hope, resilience, and innovation also mirror the sheer willpower of humanity in overcoming the gloom. Songbird doesn't just portray an entirely bleak future, but also touches on humanity's indefatigable spirit, which invariably finds ways to flourish even in the bleakest circumstances. Despite the topical premise, the heart of Songbird is a testament to the enduring human spirit and celebrates the inevitability of hope.