Directed by
Wyatt Rockefeller
Made by
IFC Midnight
A middle-aged Reza (Jonny Lee Miller) lives in a secluded shuttle settlement on Mars alongside his wife Ilsa (Sofia Boutella) and their curious nine-year-old daughter Remmy (Brooklynn Prince). Their little world, predominantly self-sufficient with a poultry farm and a greenhouse garden, feels safe yet stifling. Remmy longs to explore the vastness beyond their home, but her mother forbids her from doing so, further fueling the girl’s curiosity.
One fateful morning, a disturbing word – “LEAVE” – is found scrawled on their kitchen window, sending chills down the family’s spine. Tension simmer between Reza and Ilsa, suggesting they know more about this ominous warning than they let on. Before revelations unfold, three khaki-clad rangers invade their peace, and in a desperate act of protection, Reza confronts them. He bravely departs to finish what he started but fails to return.
As days trickle past, Ilsa and Remmy spiral into despair, anxiously awaiting Reza’s return. Their situation takes a turn when a mysterious ranger named Jerry (Ismael Cruz Córdova) breaks into their home, violently taking them hostage. Jerry claims that this is his family’s home and accuses Reza and Ilsa of being responsible for the deaths of his parents.
In a gripping confession, Ilsa explains that his mother was already deceased when they arrived and that they crash-landed on this planet from Earth. A tragic series of events transpired, forcing her to defend herself when faced with Jerry’s father during her pregnancy, leading to the violent history that now binds their lives.
Jerry’s intentions remain ambiguous as he tries to congregate with the family, demanding thirty days to prove his worth to Ilsa and Remmy. As time unfolds, an unsettling bond grows between Jerry and Ilsa, but once the thirty-day mark hits, it ends in chaos. Ilsa attempts to end Jerry’s threat but tragically learns that the gun’s magazine, which Jerry had manipulated, is empty. An ensuing struggle leads to her death, leaving Remmy, who remains bitter and withdrawn, grappling with grief. She finds solace with “Steve,” a quirky robot companion scavenged from storage.
Years slide by, with Remmy now a young woman, enveloped in silent resentment towards Jerry. He manipulates her into believing their settlement holds all she needs while ominously claiming that the outside world is barren and perilous. Yet, the call of the unknown tugs at her heart, increasingly challenging her resolve against living with her parents’ murderer.
Jerry’s tragic desire to breed with Remmy complicates matters further, revealing his terrifying intent to preserve his lineage at any cost. In a chilling moment of control, he destroys all oxygen masks to keep her trapped. Yet, Remmy’s spirit rebels; she hides a mask beneath her bed. When Jerry discovers her secret, he reacts violently, attempting to assault her. But in an unexpected twist, her beloved robot, Steve, intervenes, saving her from the brink.
Together, Remmy reclaims her freedom by eliminating Jerry once and for all. With newfound resolve, she manages to rebuild Steve, crafting an oxygen mask that symbolizes her rebirth. As she prepares to leave the oppressive settlement behind, she entrusts Steve with its care. Remmy steps into the unknown, venturing through the hidden chamber to explore a world teeming with possibility, ready to embrace whatever fate awaits her amidst the stars.
Life on Mars
Reza, Ilsa, and their daughter Remmy live in a secluded shuttle settlement on Mars, creating a predominantly self-sufficient life. Their small world consists of a poultry farm and a greenhouse garden, where daily routines keep them occupied but often feel stifling.
Remmy's Curiosity
Despite the safety of their environment, nine-year-old Remmy feels a longing to explore the vastness beyond her home. Her mother, Ilsa, forbids her from venturing out, which only serves to heighten Remmy's curiosity and desire for adventure.
The Ominous Warning
One morning, the family is startled to find the word 'LEAVE' scrawled on their kitchen window. The unsettling message creates an atmosphere of tension and fear, hinting at hidden truths that linger between Reza and Ilsa.
Invasion of the Rangers
The family's peace is shattered when three khaki-clad rangers invade their home, leading to a desperate confrontation. Reza courageously decides to face them in a bid to protect his family, but he mysteriously fails to return.
Isolation and Despair
As days pass without Reza's return, Ilsa and Remmy begin to spiral into despair and anxiety. They are consumed with worry, questioning what has become of Reza and fearing for their safety in his absence.
Hostage Situation
Their situation escalates when a mysterious ranger named Jerry breaks into their home, taking them hostage. Jerry accuses Reza and Ilsa of being responsible for the deaths of his parents, further complicating their plight.
The Tragic Confession
In a gripping confession, Ilsa reveals to Jerry that his mother was already dead when they arrived on Mars. She shares a harrowing account of crash-landing from Earth and the chain of events that led to the violent history they now share.
Jerry's Demands
Jerry attempts to integrate into their family dynamic, demanding thirty days to prove his worth to Ilsa and Remmy. As time passes, complex emotions arise, and an uneasy bond develops between Jerry and the family.
The Turning Point
The thirty-day mark arrives, leading to a chaotic confrontation. Ilsa tries to eliminate Jerry's threat, but discovers that the gun’s magazine has been tampered with, resulting in a tragic struggle that ends in her death.
Remmy's Grief
With Ilsa gone, Remmy is left to grapple with her grief and resentment toward Jerry. She finds solace in a quirky robot companion named Steve, which offers her a sense of comfort amid her turbulent emotions.
Years of Manipulation
As years go by, Remmy matures into a young woman harboring resentment towards Jerry. He continues to manipulate her perceptions, insisting that their settlement is her only source of safety while instilling fear of the outside world.
Jerry's Dark Intentions
Jerry’s terrifying desire to breed with Remmy complicates their already fraught relationship. He destroys all oxygen masks in an effort to keep her trapped, stripping her of her freedom and agency.
The Secret Plan
In a moment of defiance, Remmy hides an oxygen mask beneath her bed, maintaining a glimmer of hope for escape. When Jerry learns of her plan, he reacts violently, pushing her to her limits.
The Robot's Intervention
Just as Jerry attempts to assault her, Remmy’s beloved robot, Steve, intervenes, showing unexpected loyalty and bravery. This moment of rescue spurs Remmy into action as she realizes she must reclaim her freedom.
Embracing the Unknown
With newfound resolve, Remmy confronts Jerry, ultimately eliminating him once and for all. She rebuilds Steve and crafts an oxygen mask, symbolizing her rebirth as she prepares to venture into the unknown world beyond her oppressive life.
Reza
Reza is a protective and desperate father, who strives to maintain the safety of his family in a hostile environment. His love for Ilsa and Remmy drives him to confront dangers, but his decisions also cast shadows of doubt and fear. As the story unfolds, his choices demonstrate the struggle between parental duty and personal survival.
Ilsa
Ilsa is a complex character forced into a protective role due to the past traumas that haunt her. Her fierce love for her daughter is marred by her own fears and the disastrous consequences of their life on Mars. As layers of her backstory peel away, her vulnerability and strength shine through amid tragedy.
Remmy
Initially portrayed as a curious child, Remmy becomes the embodiment of resilience as the film progresses. Her journey of grappling with grief and eventual empowerment illustrates her evolution in a stifling environment. The bond with her robot companion, Steve, highlights her longing for connection beyond her oppressive circumstances.
Jerry
Jerry is a complicated antagonist whose tragic backstory fuels his actions. Torn between seeking revenge and forming a connection with the family, his character embodies the conflict within him. His desire to manipulate those around him stems from his unresolved emotions and the haunting legacy of his past.
Time period
The events of 'Settlers' take place in a futuristic, post-apocalyptic time where humanity has begun to colonize other planets, specifically Mars. This setting reflects a society grappling with the challenges of survival in an entirely new world. Themes of isolation, parental burdens, and unresolved histories play heavily in this era of human expansion.
Location
Mars, Shuttle Settlement
The movie unfolds in a secluded shuttle settlement on Mars, a place that offers both safety and stifling isolation. With a self-sufficient setup that includes a poultry farm and greenhouse garden, this settlement is designed to sustain life in an alien environment. However, the vast Martian landscape outside remains unexplored, drawing the curiosity of the young Remmy, who dreams of what lies beyond.
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Isolation
Isolation is a central theme in the movie, illustrated by the family's life cut off from the rest of humanity on Mars. The confined environment creates tension and drives the characters to confront their inner demons and past traumas. As external threats loom, the psychological impact of their solitude becomes increasingly profound, particularly for young Remmy.
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Conflict
The movie is rife with conflict, showcasing the struggles between individuals driven by desperation, fear, and the quest for survival. These conflicts not only manifest physically, as illustrated by Jerry's intrusion, but also emotionally, as characters grapple with their decisions that impact their fates. The theme highlights the complexity of human relationships under duress.
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Rebirth
Rebirth plays a pivotal role as Remmy evolves from an innocent child to a young woman ready to reclaim her life. Her journey symbolizes resilience and the desire to break free from an oppressive past, marked by loss and survival. The rebuilding of her robot companion, Steve, serves as a metaphor for her transformation and newfound hope.
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