Review of High-Rise (2015) by Marc R — 24 Mar 2016

Recent films with dystopian futures have been about teenagers killing other teenagers (Hunger Games) or apocalyptic car chases (Mad Max). High-Rise is different though. It's a Retro Dystopian future that your parents would envisage way back when.

Set during the mid-70's in a tower block which houses anarchic residents who dream of having the money that the pretentious higher floor have, who in turn dream of having a bigger party than the low floors. Tom Hiddleston's Dr Robert Laing moves into the middles floors and at first wants to fit in with everyone, but as he goes through life in the High-Rise he becomes more and more disenchanted with it all and seeks to be alone to paint his walls the dreary colour of the sky outside as chaos erupts outside his apartment door.

The set is fantastic, from the beautiful and spacious botanical garden on the roof to the cramped family homes at the bottom. The sound is also excellent, and the use of two contrasting versions of ABBA's S.O.S help set the tone. The very last scene does go a bit Basil Exposition which wasn't required, but director Ben Wheatley wanted to make the idea of the film very clear.

I hated watching High Rise. Not because it is a terrible film, quite the contrary, I think it's a great film that everyone should watch. It was the unapologetic blunt look at society which caused the unenjoyable experience, giving the naive me a new outlook at how the world really is.