By Skylar Gibby-Brown | Published
If dystopian cinema is your favorite genre of film, then you have to put it The bad batch on your Netflix watchlist. This 2016 sci-fi thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat as you watch Suki Waterhouse struggle to survive while some of Hollywood’s biggest stars make special appearances. With Jason Momoa, Keanu Reeves and Jim Carrey, The bad batch will take you on a breathtaking journey through a desert wasteland where survival becomes a primal instinct.
The film’s premise centers on Arlen, played by Suki Waterhouse, a young woman banished to a barren desert beyond Texas. This wasteland serves as a dumping ground for society’s undesirables, also called “the bad batches.” American laws and citizenship no longer apply here, where anarchy and cannibalism reign supreme.
Arlen’s heartbreaking journey into The bad batch begins when she is captured by a group of cannibals and narrowly escapes their clutches, although she loses her arm and leg in the process. Her path then leads her to Comfort, an eccentric colony run by a charismatic figure played by Keanu Reeves. However, surviving in this unforgiving terrain comes at a price, and Arlen finds herself entangled in a web of moral ambiguity, alliances and unexpected connections.
The bad batch features an ensemble cast of some of Hollywood’s most famous and unusual actors, who have the ability to add layers of complexity to characters. From Jason Momoa’s fierce portrayal of cannibal leader Miami Man to Jim Carrey’s unexpected role as a mute hermit, the actors deliver performances that immerse audiences in this dark world.
Keanu Reeves’ enigmatic character as a cult leader adds an aura of mystery and intrigue, while Diego Luna’s uncredited cameo serves as a satisfying Easter egg for fans to discover.
The bad batchThe production of was a collaboration between Annapurna Pictures and Vice Films, with a modest budget of $6 million. Principal photography began in Los Angeles in April 2015, with additional scenes filmed in Niland and Bombay Beach, California. The filmmakers have masterfully transformed these locations into a post-apocalyptic landscape that serves as the backdrop to Arlen’s struggle for survival.
Mainly distributed at film festivals and available for streaming on Netflix, The bad batch received a limited theatrical release, which grossed just over $200,000. The film had its world premiere at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival, where it competed for the prestigious Golden Lion and won the Special Jury Prize.
However, upon wider distribution, critics’ opinions on The bad batch were mixed. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 46% approval rating, with praise for its distinctive visuals and soundscape, but criticism for its pacing and storytelling.
Guy Lodge from Variety appreciated The bad batchbut criticized its pacing, suggesting it was “too thinly written and self-indulgent”. On the other hand, David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter acknowledged the film’s occasional drag, but praised its overall gripping nature, acknowledging that it “keeps you watching”.
Beneath its grainy surface, The bad batch explores themes of survival, morality and human connection. The film challenges viewers to question societal norms and efforts to survive in a lawless world. The relationships that form in this dark landscape are as unexpected as they are touching, demonstrating the resilience of the human spirit even in the most difficult circumstances.
In a cinematic landscape often saturated with familiar stories, The bad batch dare to be different. Ana Lily Amirpour’s directorial vision and the actors’ committed performances paint a vivid picture of a world where societal norms have collapsed, leaving behind a harsh terrain where survival becomes the ultimate price. Whether you are drawn to its enigmatic characters, its captivating visuals or its exploration of the human condition, The bad batch is a journey worth taking.
