Nicholas Hoult and Kristen Stewart starred in the 2016 film Equals, a science fiction story set in a dystopian future where emotions are suppressed. Despite the film’s intriguing premise and the heartfelt performance Hoult brought to his role, the movie ultimately failed to capture wide audience attention or critical acclaim.
Directed by Drake Doremus, Equals was released to mixed and mostly negative reviews, struggling to resonate despite its strong visual style and talented cast. This Nicholas Hoult Equals film review explores the factors that contributed to the film’s underwhelming reception, highlighting its strengths and shortcomings.
The Forgotten Romance in a Controlled Future
Equals imagines a society where genetic modification has eliminated crime and emotional expression. Nicholas Hoult plays Silas, a man living this highly regulated existence, until he connects with Kristen Stewart’s character, Nia. Their forbidden relationship develops quietly but with growing intensity, defying the strict societal rules against feelings.
The film also features performances by Guy Pearce and Jacki Weaver, adding depth to its ensemble. However, despite its compelling cast and conceptual promise, Equals struggled to leave a lasting impression. The film scored a disappointing 36% on Rotten Tomatoes, reflecting critics’ widespread dissatisfaction, while audiences rated it slightly better but still lukewarm at 43% approval.
A prevalent criticism was that, despite its polished look, the movie’s slow pacing and derivative storyline made it difficult to stay engaged. The film’s narrative felt plodding and lacked the originality expected within its genre. This was a significant issue given director Drake Doremus’ reputation for intimate, emotionally driven storytelling in films like Like Crazy.
However, Doremus’ signature style, which thrives on naturalistic performances and raw emotional energy, seemed less effective in this sci-fi setting. The lack of a palpable emotional core left Equals feeling distant and muted, a flaw particularly detrimental for a romance centered on suppressed feelings.
The film’s limited theatrical run earned just $2.1 million, highlighting its failure to draw in large audiences. Even though it is not considered one of the worst in its genre—some viewers may consider it a niche interest or guilty pleasure—the film simply did not live up to the potential of its premise in a market crowded with compelling love stories.
As Nicholas Hoult continues to garner acclaim for later roles, including his portrayal of Lex Luthor in the upcoming Superman film, his character Silas may unfortunately remain overshadowed from audiences’ memories.
Visual Storytelling: The Film’s Brightest Achievement
While Equals struggled in several areas, its cinematography received notable praise. John Guleserian, the cinematographer and frequent collaborator with director Doremus, played a crucial role in creating the film’s visual identity.
Speaking about his work, Guleserian described Equals as
“the simplest story told by the visuals and the performances. It’s like a mood piece at times.”
To convey the emotionless world, the production design and lighting choices were meticulously planned. Guleserian and his team utilized built-in LED lighting on set, which allowed real-time changes during filming to alter the color and intensity of scenes.
The film’s opening scenes employ a sterile palette of white and strict geometric lines to illustrate how characters feel trapped within this emotionless society. As the story progresses, Guleserian introduced more visual complexity and
“added flair by switching to the uncoated Super Speeds”
and increasing lighting variety, signaling the characters’ gradual emotional awakening and rebellion against their constrained environment.
Critics echoed this admiration for the cinematography. Deep Focus Review awarded the film high marks for its “visual and technical package,” while Lainey Gossip described the imagery as “insanely beautiful,” emphasizing the film’s artistic strengths despite its narrative flaws.
Nicholas Hoult Reflects on the Filming Experience
Nicholas Hoult shared his insights about working on Equals during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. He discussed the unique atmosphere on set and the collaborative approach adopted by director Drake Doremus and cinematographer John Guleserian.
Hoult praised the “very calm and very intimate” environment that contrasted sharply with the often hectic and loud atmosphere found on many film productions. He appreciated how the crew allowed actors the freedom to perform naturally without constant interruptions or technical adjustments.
He explained,
“A lot of the time when you’re working on films, it’s like, ‘So the camera’s going to move here, you’re going to do this, there’s going to be a beep, explosion over there, and then you say your line.’ It’s a dance where everyone’s working together to make that happen. Whereas with this, there was a thing of ‘OK, we kind of know what the scene is, but feel it, and don’t do something until you feel it.’”
—Nicholas Hoult, actor
This trust in the actors’ instincts aimed to capture sincere and subtle performances, which Hoult believes was one of the film’s strengths. Kristen Stewart and Hoult both delivered compelling portrayals of their conflicted characters, evoking the quiet intensity at the heart of their forbidden relationship.
Despite these efforts, the final product did not manage to fully connect with its viewers or critics. Nevertheless, the film remains a significant milestone in the careers of its stars, demonstrating their range and willingness to tackle challenging material.
What Lies Ahead for ‘Equals’ and Its Cast
Though Equals failed to establish itself as a standout sci-fi romance, its artistic elements and the performances by Hoult and Stewart continue to attract interest from certain cinephiles. The film’s blend of dystopian themes and quiet emotional exploration offers a contemplative viewing experience, appealing to those who appreciate mood-driven storytelling.
For Nicholas Hoult, the film is part of a larger trajectory underscoring his growth in the industry, especially as he prepares to take on high-profile roles like Lex Luthor. Meanwhile, director Drake Doremus may continue focusing on the intimate, character-driven dramas that have defined his previous successes.
Ultimately, Equals exemplifies the risks involved when melding different genres and storytelling styles. It also serves as a reminder that even a compelling concept and strong performances can struggle to overcome pacing issues and narrative familiarity.
Whether viewers consider Equals a forgotten experiment or a hidden gem remains a matter of personal taste—but its ambition and craftsmanship ensure it will not be entirely forgotten.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Was Nicholas Hoult in Harry Potter?
A. Nicholas Hoult tried out for several key roles in the Harry Potter movies but didn’t land any of them, according to IMDb. Even though Hoult has been part of major Hollywood franchises, he shared that he wasn’t able to join the original Harry Potter films.
Q. Are Jennifer Lawrence and Nicholas Hoult still friends?
A. Hoult and Lawrence were a couple for five years after they met during the filming of the franchise’s first movie. They have stayed friends since their breakup.
