Joy (Bel Powley) lives in a cult-like community with her partner William (Nick Robinson), where they’re required to take a pill every day to supress all of their emotions. During a medical appointment, Joy learns she has cancer and in order to treat it she has to top taking her daily pill. Initially reluctant, Joy soon starts to experience feelings for the first time and it opens her eyes to a whole new world. Encouraging William to do the same, Joy then discovers sex and the couple start to spread the word to their friends. As emotions start running wild, Joy and her friends have to decide which version of life they prefer to live.
‘Turn Me On’ is a futuristic dystopian drama with hints of comedy from director Michael Tyburski (‘The Sound of Silence’). Written by Angela Bourassa (‘If You Were The Last’), the film is a timely meditation on a society that’s controlled by drugs and desensitized to the reality of real-life. Given where we’re at in the world right now, this dystopian alternate universe doesn’t seem too far out of the realm of possibility, and that makes the overall story being told here quite terrifying.
Our first glimpse at Joy (even the name is ironic given she has no feelings), shows a young woman living a mundane and dull existence. She and her partner William co-habit but they don’t touch or have sex, instead they frequently ask one another if they are content. Joy’s discovery of her feelings opens a can of worms, which at first seem exciting but soon turn sour when they cause complications in her relationship and with her friends. As Joy starts to ask questions about the pills they’ve been taking, the society around her tries to shut her down, warning of dire consequences.
‘Turn Me On’ is certainly an interesting concept. There’s much to admire here in terms of the story and the way the film has been made, but it’s not the most thrilling 99-minutes you’re going to spend. At times the film feels too slow and the quirkiness begins to grate as scenes become repetitive. I get that that’s part of the plot but the film perhaps didn’t need to labour its point quite so heavily.
Bel Powley is the standout among the cast. She easily gets the most to do and once Joy breaks free from her drug-induced state, Powley realistically brings Joy’s feelings of being overwhelmed to the surface. Her attraction to another member of the group is alien territory for her, and she is forced to question everything she’s ever known. Nick Robinson, while solid here, doesn’t get as much material to work with which is a shame as he’s a superb actor.
‘Turn Me On’ gives plenty of food for thought. Whether you take it as commentary on the current state of society or a warning about what may be to come, there’s enough here to engage with and ultimately terrify you. The film tries to inject some humour along the way but that feels at odds with the clinical look and feel of it. ‘Turn Me On’ is certainly something a little different and that will mean audiences will react to it like Marmite.
Cast: Nick Robinson, Bel Powley, Luke Kirby, D’Arcy Carden, Justin H. Min Director: Michael Tyburski Writer: Angela Bourassa Certificate: 15 Duration: 99 mins Released by: Signature Entertainment Release date: 4th November 2024 Buy ‘Turn Me On’ now
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