A Bewildering Mash-Up of Drugs, Sci-Fi, and Social Justice



Naked Singularity is a bewildering mashup of social justice themes, science fiction, and hackneyed crime thriller. A disaffected public defender becomes involved in a beautiful parolee’s drug heist. While the universe counts down to inexplicably collapsing. None of it makes a lick of sense. Naked Singularity strives for depth and meaning, but comes up woefully short. Sergio De La Pava’s celebrated debut novel gets a feeble big screen adaptation.

John Boyega stars as Casi, a well-meaning and virtuous public defender in New York City. He’s tired of watching poor people incarcerated for minor offenses. Wealthy criminals post bond and go free while his clients unjustly rot in prison. He’s also become the favorite target of an acerbic judge (Linda Lavin). Who’s itching to have him disbarred for contempt.

Olivia Cooke co-stars as Lea, an ex-druggie working at a claims booth at the NYPD tow pound. She foolishly becomes involved with Craig (Ed Skrein), a small-time dealer who desperately wants to buy a specific car at the police auction. Lea confesses the scheme to Casi, who begs her to come clean to authorities. As Casi continues to struggle with a tortured existence, he begins to notice subtle changes to his surrounding reality. A scientist (Tim Blake Nelson) warns him that the world as he knows it is coming to an end. But his best friend and co-worker (Bill Skarsgård) says they must seize this opportunity to escape an oppressive life.

Naked Singularity bites off more than it can chew. The plot sputters as it goes off on bizarre tangents. Writer/director Chase Palmer, the screenwriter of It in his feature debut, needed to focus his efforts on the strongest parts of the narrative. The heist addresses the societal problems that bedevil the protagonist. But Palmer fails to connect the narrative threads to the climax in a meaningful way. The final act comes off as ludicrous with a load of philosophical and cosmic gibberish.

Chase Palmer misuses Olivia Cooke in this film. I’m willing to bet she didn’t expect to see her character portrayed as such a stepping stool. Lea is a sex object that’s willingly manipulated by men. She just can’t stop jumping into bed and making bad decisions. Luckily, she has a heroic savior to rescue her from bad decisions. Lea’s supposed to be street smart. She yearns to control her destiny, clearly understands the gravity of her choices, but makes them anyway to propel the script. Cooke has a great ability to play troubled characters. Palmer edits her into a naive and promiscuous performance.

Naked Singularity confounds on many levels. It tries so hard to be meaningful, but achieves the exact opposite. The characters on the page are striking. Casi and Lea are both damaged. They’re shackled and willing to seek freedom at a great personal cost. Their relationship could have been better explored without the metaphysical nonsense. Naked Singularity is produced by 3311 Productions, Anton, Scott Free Productions, and Wolf Films. It is currently in limited theatrical release and will be available August 13th on demand from Screen Media Films.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Movieweb.

You can view the original article HERE.

10 Best TV Thrillers To Binge on Netflix
10 Best TV Thrillers To Binge on Netflix
Donnie Yen’s Action Epic ‘Ip Man’ Finds Free Streaming Success
Donnie Yen’s Action Epic ‘Ip Man’ Finds Free Streaming Success
Book Excerpt: An Anthony Mann Reader by Scout Tafoya | Features
Book Excerpt: An Anthony Mann Reader by Scout Tafoya | Features
Ron Perlman Open to ‘Hellboy 3’ Return If Guillermo del Toro Directs Sequel
Ron Perlman Open to ‘Hellboy 3’ Return If Guillermo del Toro Directs Sequel
A new Batman game from Rocksteady is on its way
A new Batman game from Rocksteady is on its way
Murder Inc. Records Founder Passes Away at 54
Murder Inc. Records Founder Passes Away at 54
Here’s every song in Severance season 2
Here’s every song in Severance season 2
Glassjaw to play classic albums in full as more names join line-up 
Glassjaw to play classic albums in full as more names join line-up 
Oscar-Nominated ‘Flow’ Coming to Max in February
Oscar-Nominated ‘Flow’ Coming to Max in February
'Inheritance' Explained in 3 Minutes or Less
'Inheritance' Explained in 3 Minutes or Less
The Hunting Party Season 1 Episode 2 Spoilers: Bex’s Alliances are Tested
The Hunting Party Season 1 Episode 2 Spoilers: Bex’s Alliances are Tested
First Steps’ Will Be Different From Previous Versions
First Steps’ Will Be Different From Previous Versions
Top 10 Myrtle Beach Golf Courses You Need to Play
Top 10 Myrtle Beach Golf Courses You Need to Play
Report: Mets, Alonso agree to 2-year deal
Report: Mets, Alonso agree to 2-year deal
Boxer Jamel Herring’s Domestic Violence Charge Dismissed
Boxer Jamel Herring’s Domestic Violence Charge Dismissed
Report: Suns willing to listen to trade offers for Durant
Report: Suns willing to listen to trade offers for Durant
David Dobrik’s New Bod Prompts Saucy Comments From Influencer Pals
David Dobrik’s New Bod Prompts Saucy Comments From Influencer Pals
Jessica Alba Files for Amicable Divorce From Cash Warren, No Prenup
Jessica Alba Files for Amicable Divorce From Cash Warren, No Prenup
Police Body Cam Shows Kodak Black’s Baby Mama Fight Chaos From Birthday Party
Police Body Cam Shows Kodak Black’s Baby Mama Fight Chaos From Birthday Party
Taylor Swift has had the ‘flyest’ style at Chiefs games all season, Travis Kelce says. Next up? The Super Bowl.
Taylor Swift has had the ‘flyest’ style at Chiefs games all season, Travis Kelce says. Next up? The Super Bowl.
Jacquemus’ Beauty Baby Steps, Kate Moss For BOSS!
Jacquemus’ Beauty Baby Steps, Kate Moss For BOSS!
The Daily Front Row’s NYFW Issue Has Arrived!!
The Daily Front Row’s NYFW Issue Has Arrived!!
Shop Meghan Markle’s Embroidered Sweatshirt
Shop Meghan Markle’s Embroidered Sweatshirt
From Dubai Bling Superstar to CEO, Safa Siddiqui Leads Decisive Living to Extraordinary Disruptive Level of Success
From Dubai Bling Superstar to CEO, Safa Siddiqui Leads Decisive Living to Extraordinary Disruptive Level of Success