Captive State
An occupied Chicago neighborhood becomes the battleground for a fractured resistance challenging extraterrestrial rule and authoritarian control.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- brooding
- paranoid
- serious
- late night science fiction
- political thriller double feature
What critics said
Critics found the film an ambitious but muddled science fiction thriller whose political undertones and invasion premise were more effective than its execution.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The alien force has ruled Chicago for nine years while an authoritarian system restricts civil rights and generates organized dissent.
The plot explores lives in the occupied neighborhood on both sides of the conflict, including police authority and resistance figures.
Working-class Chicago is presented as an occupied urban neighborhood shaped by heightened surveillance and authoritarian restrictions.
The film focuses on a nine-year occupation, civil-rights restrictions, and neighborhood-level dissent within a contemporary American city.
Films like Captive State, and why
District 9
Shared alien occupation, divided resistance, and political science fiction themes in a dystopian urban setting.
The Battle of Algiers
Shared occupation-era resistance, surveillance-state tension, and grounded political thriller atmosphere.
V for Vendetta
Shared authoritarian dystopia, civil-rights suppression, and rebellion against an entrenched ruling power.
10 Cloverfield Lane
Shared invasion aftermath, militarized control, and bleak science fiction thriller tone.
Movie Details
- Director
- Rupert Wyatt
- Release Date
- 2019-03-15
- Runtime
- 110 min
- Rating
- 5.7 / 10 (1313)
Cast
- John Goodman
- Ashton Sanders
- Jonathan Majors
- Vera Farmiga
- Kevin Dunn
- Kevin J. O'Connor
- Alan Ruck
- Ben Daniels
- James Ransone
- D. B. Sweeney
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Captive State about?
- An occupied Chicago neighborhood becomes the battleground for a fractured resistance challenging extraterrestrial rule and authoritarian control.
- What is Captive State like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Captive State as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Captive State violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Captive State as mild.
- What did critics think of Captive State?
- Critics found the film an ambitious but muddled science fiction thriller whose political undertones and invasion premise were more effective than its execution.
- Which films are like Captive State?
- Films with a similar feel include District 9, The Battle of Algiers, V for Vendetta, and 10 Cloverfield Lane.
- How long is Captive State?
- Captive State runs 110 minutes.
- Where can I watch Captive State?
- In United States, Captive State is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
