Matilda Lutz in Futuristic Thriller 'Increase
· wellness
Matilda Lutz, Suzanne Clément, Holt McCallany and Fernanda Urrejola Star in Nicolas Bary’s Futuristic Thriller ‘Increase’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Nicolas Bary’s upcoming thriller “Increase” has generated significant buzz in Hollywood circles, but its true significance extends beyond the film’s futuristic plot and high-profile cast. The English-language feature explores the darker side of human ingenuity, where technological advancements blur the lines between progress and existential threat.
At its core, “Increase” tells the story of Genie, a Paralympic athlete who undergoes a transformation after losing both legs in an accident. Equipped with cutting-edge prosthetics that connect directly to her brain, she becomes a symbol of human resilience – or so it seems. The film raises essential questions about our relationship with technology and the consequences of pushing human performance to its limits.
Bary’s fascination with transhumanism is not unique; he cites influences from “Gattaca” to David Cronenberg’s body horror cinema, where the boundaries between human and machine are constantly eroded. In a statement, Bary hints at a cinematic experience that will be both visually striking and unsettling, as we witness Genie’s transformation into a hybrid being.
The transhumanist ideology promises to free us from suffering, sickness, and death by transcending our mortal coils. However, this idea is built on a flawed premise: that our limitations are the sole source of human imperfection. By neglecting the value of fragility and vulnerability, we risk losing touch with what makes us human.
Bary’s conversations with French Paralympic champion Marie-Amélie Le Fur underscore this issue. Her own experiences as a double amputee have led her to contemplate removing her remaining leg to maximize prosthetic efficiency – a notion that highlights the blurring of lines between human and machine.
The parallels between “Increase” and our collective future are unsettling. We live in an era where we increasingly rely on digital tools and artificial intelligence to navigate our daily lives. While these advancements promise convenience and efficiency, they also pose a threat to our humanity. As Bary astutely observes, “By refusing to recognize our own fragility, we are no longer connected to our ability to feel.”
The implications of this trend are far-reaching. If we continue down the path of transhumanism, we risk sacrificing our very essence as human beings. Our obsession with pushing performance to its limits may lead us to overlook the importance of imperfection and vulnerability – the qualities that make us uniquely human.
“Increase” stars Matilda Lutz, Suzanne Clément, Holt McCallany, and Fernanda Urrejola in a film that offers a timely reminder that our pursuit of human performance must not come at the expense of our humanity. As “Increase” prepares to hit the big screen, it will be interesting to see how audiences respond to this thought-provoking thriller. Will we be able to confront the darker aspects of our own desires for technological advancement, or will we continue to ignore the warning signs?
Reader Views
- DMDr. Maya O. · behavioral researcher
While "Increase" is touted as a thought-provoking examination of transhumanism, I worry that the film's portrayal of Genie's transformation into a hybrid being may perpetuate the notion that technological advancements are a panacea for human suffering. In reality, people with disabilities and chronic conditions often find meaning and purpose in their lives despite – or because of – their physical limitations. By glossing over the complexities of disability experience, "Increase" risks reinforcing the ableist myth that technology can simply "fix" what's broken, rather than acknowledging the inherent value of human fragility.
- TCThe Calm Desk · editorial
The film's exploration of transhumanism raises important questions about our relationship with technology, but what's often overlooked is the socioeconomic aspect of such advancements. As prosthetic limbs become increasingly sophisticated and affordable, we must consider who will have access to these life-changing technologies and how they'll be distributed. Will we see a widening gap between those who can afford to upgrade their bodies and those who are left behind? The film's vision of a future where humans and machines blend is both captivating and disturbing – but let's not forget the very real-world implications of such a future.
- ANAlex N. · habit coach
The film's central premise raises questions about what constitutes human enhancement. While prosthetics can undoubtedly improve mobility and quality of life for individuals with physical disabilities, we must consider whether they're truly augmenting human capabilities or merely replacing our inherent frailty. By blurring the line between machine and human, we risk devaluing the unique strengths that come from living within our physical limitations. Bary's exploration of transhumanism might be thought-provoking, but let's not forget that resilience often stems from embracing our vulnerabilities, rather than trying to overcome them entirely.