“Would you like a
pill?”
In a world broken
by disease, hunger and lack of resources, it seems that attempted solutions are
often token in nature. The above quote, taken from Neill Blomkamp’s highly
anticipated sci-fi actioner, Elysium,
is an illustration of a lack of consideration towards those who suffer. Spoken
by a disinterested parole robot, the offer of a pill to sooth ex-con Max Da
Costa’s (Matt Damon) nerves serves as a metaphor for a much deeper attitude
that exists within the world.
Set in the 2154, Elysium reveals a world divided by
financial barriers. While the wealthy enjoy life on Elysium, a space-station
utopia orbiting the earth that offers unlimited resources, the remainder of the
population are left to suffer amidst the planet’s rubble and disease. Living
amongst the masses, Max is an ex-con who simply wants to make a fresh start
with his life. However, after an industrial accident leaves Max with only a few
days to live, he realizes that his only manner of survival is to get to Elysium
so that he can make use of their health care technology. As a result, Max is forced to revisit a
life of crime so that he can earn his ‘ticket’. However, after the assigned
‘job’ goes awry, Max becomes a fugitive and must choose which path his life is
going to take moving forward
Clearly influenced
by the recent Occupy movement, Elysium
begs the question of fairness when it comes to the distribution of resources. As
the wealthy maintain their life of luxury orbiting the earth, the demand for
proper health care continues to increase amongst the rest (and increasingly restless).
Disease is rampant and hospitals are overrun. Violence and crime are
everywhere. Still, Blomkamp wants his audience to sympathize with the people
rather than sit in judgment of them.
Although Elysium’s earth has
been ravaged by criminal activity, one recognizes that much of the behavior has
been driven out of desperation rather than a desire to do evil. Here, the
finger is pointed squarely at the ‘haves’, not the ‘have-nots’.
On the other hand,
it’s also interesting to note that the majority of the ‘super-rich’ are not
portrayed as particularly evil either. Instead, despite the fact that much of
Elysium’s resources are produced on the backs of the rest of humanity, the
wealthy merely seem to wish to turn a blind eye to what’s happening below. In
other words, in a much more literal interpretation of ‘out of sight, out of
mind’, the wealthy appear more concerned about preserving their own way of life
rather than intentionally exploit those less fortunate. As a result, the
wealthy remain content yet distant from the rest of humanity, ignoring the
devastation that lies below.
Without question,
this conversation elicits thoughts of Christ’s conversations about care for the
less fortunate. Scripture references such as Matthew 25 command to feed and
clothe the less fortunate or even Jesus’ seemingly endless healings of the sick
and blind point to a much deeper spiritual calling for humanity. From the
moment Jesus established the foundation of his Kingdom, He has called for us to
live in a manner that brings healing through love rather than further pain and
suffering.
Still, the
spiritual conversation within Elysium
also travels much deeper than a broad plea for social justice and also offers a
powerful example of what is meant to take place during a journey of
discipleship. One of the best examples of this comes through Max’s story. A
low-level employee of Armadyne Corporation, Max’s life seems no different than
anyone elses. Simply trying to survive, his life has little purpose or
direction. Nevertheless, after he receives his exo-skelton and attempts his
first ‘job’, things change dramatically. [MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD] After
understanding the importance of his newly stolen ‘cargo’, Max begins to
understand the impact that his life could have on the rest of the world. [SPOILERS
END] In fact, in a fascinating Scriptural connection, Max’s associate even
tells Max that he holds “the keys to the Kingdom”. Using this analogy, this
direct reference to Matthew 16:19 suggests that Max suddenly has the ability to
‘bind and loose on earth and heaven’, placing a great deal of power and social
responsibility upon him. As a result of this realization, Max’s journey begins
to be reshaped as he wrestles with the questions of calling and personal
responsibility as he moves forward with his life. Moreover, in drawing this
comparison, Blomkamp also reminds the viewer that much of the responsibility
for change lies on the viewer himself. Are we willing to help create change? Do
we recognize that our lives have meaning in the world? In the same manner that
Jesus calls for justice in His Kingdom, he also commands us to be active
participants in what He wants to happen.
In the end, Elysium certainly delivers in the area
of sci-fi action. However, director Neill Blomkamp also offers an intense—but
grounded—metaphor for the damage that is left by selfishness and greed. In
moments such as these, Elysium connects
very deeply with the heart of Jesus and his Kingdom. Whereas Elysium speaks of a world divided by
suffering, we are reminded that Christ invites us to a world healed by
wholeness. As such, Elysium
challenges us to decide whether we will seek to be an advocate for change on
His behalf or remain silent.
After all, through
Christ, we have the power to “override their whole system”.
Elysium
Starring Matt Damon,
Jodie Foster, Sharlto Copley
Directed by Neill Blomkamp
Rating:
**** (out of 5)
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