🎬 Detailed Review: The Bad Batch (2016)

Movie Overview

Title: The Bad Batch
Release Date: September 6, 2016 (Venice Film Festival), limited US release June 23, 2017
Genre: Dystopian thriller / Drama
Director: Ana Lily Amirpour
Cast: Suki Waterhouse (Arlen), Jason Momoa (Miami Man), Keanu Reeves (The Dream), Jim Carrey (Hermit), Giovanni Ribisi
Where to Watch: Netflix, Fandango at Home, Amazon/iTunes

1. Plot Summary

In a near-future Texas, lawless wastelands have become dumping grounds for the “undesirables” – the eponymous “bad batch.” Arlen (Suki Waterhouse) is exiled beyond a border fence and immediately captured by cannibals who amputate her arm and leg. Miraculously surviving via sheer will, she is rescued by a mute hermit (Jim Carrey) and brought to Comfort, a bizarre commune led by a charismatic cult figure known as The Dream (Keanu Reeves). As she tries to rebuild her life with prosthetics, she crosses paths with Miami Man (Jason Momoa), a ruthless cannibal searching for his kidnapped daughter. Their unlikely bonds and intertwined destinies unfold against the surreal backdrop of this desert dystopia.

2. Notable Elements

• Striking Imagery & Cinematography: Lyle Vincent’s lensing captures the haunting beauty of desolate landscapes contrasted against neon-lit communes and rave scenes. One unforgettable shot features Arlen’s smiley-face shorts creeping through dusty tracks—bold, symbolic, and bizarre.

• Opening Shock: The visceral first 15 minutes—amputation, survival skateboarding, escape—set a harrowing tone with emotional resonance and immediate stakes.

• Eclectic Soundtrack: ’80s alt-pop interwoven with edgy beats heightens the surreal, almost satirical feel; quirky needle drops like “Karma Chameleon” juxtapose violence and absurdity.

• Memorable Performances:

  • Waterhouse embodies Arlen with gritty resilience and emotional depth.

  • Reeves — in white suit and deadpan delivery — acts as the cult leader The Dream, offering dark humor and irony.

  • Momoa is both savage and surprisingly tender in his portrayal of Miami Man.

3. Themes and Messages

• Survival & Identity: The film interrogates what humanity looks like when basic ethics are stripped away—blurring distinctions between predator and protector.

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• Culture & Power: Comfort indulges in Commodified freedom—celebrity-like cult leaders, recreational drugs, women in concubine roles—offering a critique on utopias gone wrong.

• Redemption & Connection: Arlen and Miami Man share unlikely empathy and bond over loss and survival, offering a spark of hope in a dystopian void.

• Holiday Relevance: Its communal yet surreal portrayal of Comfort could metaphorically echo festive gatherings where appearances mask deeper dysfunctions—prompting reflection on genuine human connection.

4. Personal Impressions

Strengths:

• Visually audacious and tonally daring—this movie is not afraid to surprise.

• Exceptional world-building through aesthetics and mood.

• Compelling performances from the main trio, especially those emotionally resonant and human.

Weaknesses:

• The narrative wavers, particularly in the second act when the search for a child replaces allegorical power dynamics, leading to a drift in thematic intensity.

• Could feel disjointed or self-indulgent—stylish vignettes don’t always coalesce into a cohesive arc.

• Pacing issues: compelling first act, but later passages slow the momentum too much. Critics noted that it “never organizes itself around a coherent idea” and “runs out of steam” with 90 minutes remaining.

Overall, I admire its boldness and tonal experimentation, though I found myself craving tighter focus and narrative cohesion.

5. Audience Recommendations

For you if you enjoy:

• Offbeat dystopian cinema (Mad Max-style survival with surreal flair)

• Stylish arthouse with dark humor and aesthetic grit

• Cult favorites that challenge conventional storytelling

Maybe skip if you prefer:

• Tightly plotted, high-concept sci-fi thrillers

• Linear narratives or mainstream blockbusters

6. Conclusion & Rating

The Bad Batch is as beautiful as it is brutal—an ambitious, genre-blending film that delivers unforgettable visuals, intense performances, and surreal storytelling. It stumbles when its disjointed themes lose clarity, but for viewers who appreciate style-layered substance and bold experimentation, it remains a memorable entry in modern dystopian cinema.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ ☆ (3.5/5)