THX 1138 1971

In a dystopian society where the 21st century has become a mere backdrop for the rigidly controlled lives of its inhabitants, the notion of sexual intimacy is anathema, while the consumption of mind-altering substances is mandatory to ensure compliance and facilitate the performance of perilous tasks. The once-intimate concepts of emotions, family, and coitus are now taboos, replaced by an obsession with uniformity and conformity.

Citizens don identical attire, their shorn heads a testament to the supposed equality that permeates every aspect of life. The police androids, clad in somber black, stand as a constant reminder of the omnipresent authority, while robed monks whisper secrets to those who seek solace in the mysteries of the universe.

In the central video control centers, SEN 5241 and LUH 3417 monitor the city’s every move, their surveillance a mere precursor to the machinations that unfold. LUH shares her humble abode with THX 1138, a factory worker tasked with producing android police officers. THX’s mundane existence is disrupted when he forsakes his job at the factory, where the loudspeakers extol the virtues of increased safety and cautionary tales of worker losses (195 in their facility, a paltry number compared to the 242 casualties incurred by their competitors).

As THX navigates the streets, he seeks solace in the anonymity of confession booths, his whispered prayers echoing through the rows of identical structures adorned with the enigmatic portrait of OMM 0000. The soothing voice that greets him offers a patina of comfort, its parting salutations infused with the mantra of compliance: “You are a true believer, blessings of the State, blessings of the masses. Work hard, increase production, prevent accidents and be happy.”

At home, THX indulges in the numbing effects of his medication, lost in the virtual world of holobroadcasts as he engages with an intimate device designed to satiate his desires. LUH, however, harbors a secret: she has substituted her own pills for THX’s, precipitating a cascade of physical and emotional upheaval that culminates in their forbidden romance.

As LUH and THX navigate the treacherous landscape of desire and rebellion, they find themselves arrested and separated, their fate intertwined with the machinations of SEN 5241, who orchestrates THX’s new living arrangement. The consequences of their actions are far-reaching, as THX’s fragile grip on reality begins to slip in the absence of his medication. A desperate attempt to correct his work phase sets off a chain reaction that culminates in a heart-wrenching reunion with LUH, disrupted by the cruel revelation of her pregnancy.

As THX faces judgment at his trial, the gravity of his situation sets in, culminating in a harsh sentence: imprisonment alongside SEN. Initially, the atmosphere within the prison walls seems devoid of any sense of urgency or desperation for escape. However, as THX and SEN navigate their new reality, they stumble upon an opportunity to break free from their confinement. This chance encounter leads them to be joined by SRT 5752, a hologram with its own claim to fame in the world of holobroadcasts.

As they make their way out of the prison complex, THX and SRT find themselves separated from SEN in the chaos. With their escape momentarily compromised, they’re forced to regroup and re-strategize amidst the relentless pursuit by police robots. It’s during this intense period that THX uncovers a shocking truth: LUH, his love interest, has been irreversibly altered, her identity absorbed into the very fabric of the growth chamber, now bearing the eerie designation “fetus 66691”.

Meanwhile, SEN finds himself lost and alone in the vast expanse reserved for the monks of OMM. Despite his best efforts to blend in, he’s quickly discovered by a solitary monk who takes umbrage with his lack of identification. This discovery sparks a primal reaction within SEN, leading him to unleash his fury upon the unsuspecting monk.

As THX and SRT continue their high-stakes escape attempt, they commandeer two cars, but SRT’s reckless driving results in a catastrophic collision with a concrete pillar. Hotly pursued by two police androids on motorcycles, THX makes a daring bid for freedom, fleeing to the limits of the city before plunging into a ventilation shaft.

In hot pursuit, the police androids follow suit, racing their motorcycles through the labyrinthine ductwork as they attempt to track down THX. However, Central Command intervenes, issuing an order to halt the chase, citing budgetary constraints that render THX’s capture too expensive by 6%. As the dust settles, the true nature of the city is revealed: a vast underground metropolis. THX has managed to escape onto the surface, where he bears witness to the breathtaking spectacle of sunset unfolding before his eyes.