Surrogates (2009)

Directed by: Jonathan Mostow | 88 minutes | action, thriller, romance | Actors: Bruce Willis, Radha Mitchell, Rosamund Pike, Ving Rhames, Michael Cudlitz, Valerie Azlynn, Boris Kodjoe, Helena Mattsson, Rachel Sterling, Jack Noseworthy, Jordan Belfi, Devin Ratray, Stream, Rick Malambri, Ned Vaughn, James Francis Ginty, Ella Thomas, Nicholas Purcell, Catherine Pierce, Chris Parson, Chad Williams, David Conley, Eamon Brooks

After ‘Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines’ (2003), director Jonathan Mostow once again turns to advanced, ‘human’ robots in ‘Surrogates’. This time, however, the violence comes from the human side.

The (outside) world in which we move in ‘Surrogates’ consists almost exclusively of surrogates; physically attractive, human robots that are remotely ‘controlled’ by their hosts. These hosts are people who let their perfect ‘I’ live the life they want from the comfort of their home. But with a much more attractive body, more possibilities and without physical risks. At least that is the intention! Because the impossible happens: two surrogates are ‘killed’ and their hosts are also found dead in their chairs.

A job for – the surrogates of – FBI agents Greer (Bruce Willis) and Peters (Radha Mitchell). Because how could this happen? What kind of weapon did the perpetrator use? And why? When one of the victims turns out to be the son of the inventor of surrogates, the suspicion quickly arises that the perpetrator must in any case be sought in the corner of the insurgents; people who own their own secluded reservation in every city and have nothing to do with the surrogates. Only: how can you investigate there if they don’t grant you access?

‘Surrogates’ is fast, looks spectacular and certainly has an interesting premise: “”What if the perfect world turns out not to be so perfect?”” Nothing new in itself, but it is presented here in a versatile way. Not only because of the murders deemed impossible, but also because of the personal suffering that many hosts of surrogates actually deal with. Like Greer’s own wife Maggie (Rosamund Pike), who flees in pills and hides behind her surrogate self when Greer longs for her humanity. In addition, a big wink is made to reality, where outward perfection – especially in Hollywood – is often taken to the insane. In ‘Surrogates’ it is shown once again that in the end it is never enough. Even the ‘perfect’ surrogates still go to the beauty salon (from the same Maggie) for a treatment. Very funny!

Greer’s surrogate is also funny. Man, what does Bruce Willis look like in there! No, rather the ‘real’ version with a bald head and shaggy stubble. Fortunately, in the film, he soon takes over from his destroyed surrogate copy. It’s just a shame that he doesn’t have a role here that asks for dry, cynical texts during his hunt for the bad guy(s). That’s how we like to see him!

‘Surrogates’ is well put together, despite the fact that a fictional reality like the one in this story is apparently never completely watertight. For example, why are there still FBI agents if there was no crime at all? And the VSI (the producer of surrogates) advertising makes it clear that you can feel with your surrogate as you could yourself. But when your surrogate bumps into a moving car, you don’t have a penny of pain… In addition, the ending is very dubious and you wonder; have I not been paying attention or is this actually not possible according to the previous explanation of the ‘system’?

Anyway, those are minor remarks that should not spoil the fun. A lot of attention has been paid to most of the details. ‘Surrogates’ is an hour and a half of pure entertainment, in which influences from ‘The Stepford Wives’ (2004), ‘The Island’ (2005) and the ‘The Matrix’ (1999) are clearly visible. If you also liked those films then ‘Surrogates’ is definitely a must!