Billed as a feature, Merge is actually a compilation of six earlier science fiction short films. This is more like a film festival than a feature, given the lack of a frame story used in other anthology features, though the segments have themes in common – humanity conceding control of itself to technology.
We open to a futuristic city, learning that advances in technology have rendered life perfect, even so far as to eliminate negative emotions. But for some people, that leaves life a little dull, and drives the market for fear-inducing drugs. Elsewhere, we meet a humanoid aged-care worker, just as its charge reaches the end of his life, leaving its future purpose in doubt. Perhaps topically to this website, we see paid subscription services intruding into our lives to the point of absurdity.
Although each segment seems to vary in budget and tone, the brevity of each means they never overstay their welcome, though some of the plots are bound to linger in viewers’ minds, particularly as the ‘science fiction’ elements start to seem more likely in our lives.
Merge (2025)
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