Code 8

One of the surprise breakout hits on Netflix during the coronavirus shutdown is Code 8, a Canadian science-fiction film funded entirely through a crowdfunding campaign. It’s set in an alternate timeline in the 1990s, where people with superhuman powers face severe discrimination and economic hardship. But this isn’t a cheap rip-off of the X-Men franchise.

(Some spoilers below, but no major reveals.) Directed by Jeff Chan, Code 8 began life as a short teaser film of the same name, produced by cousins Robbie Amell (star of the forthcoming Upload) and Stephen Amell (Arrow) in 2016. They launched an Indiegogo fundraiser that year to make a feature-length version and soon raised $2.4 million.

An opening montage lays out the film’s basic premise with deft strokes. So-called Powers emerged at the dawn of the 20th century and are soon required to register their abilities with the government. Electrics have electrokinetic abilities, Pyros can control fire, Brawns have super strength, Readers can read minds, TKs are telekinetics, and so forth.

By the 1990s, Powers are essentially second-class citizens, forced to eke out a bare existence taking on random work off the books. Many turn to crime out of necessity. A powerful syndicate known as The Trust is dealing a novel drug known as Psyke, derived from the spinal fluid of Powers.

Advertisement YouTube/IGN YouTube/IGN Vertical Entertainment/Netflix Vertical Entertainment/Netflix YouTube/IGN Vertical Entertainment/Netflix Vertical Entertainment/Netflix YouTube/IGN YouTube/IGN YouTube/IGN YouTube/IGN YouTube/IGN Vertical Entertainment/Netflix YouTube/IGN YouTube/IGN Vertical Entertainment/Netflix That’s the big picture, but Code 8 is all about the personal narratives, notably the story of Connor Reed (Robbie Amell), a young Class 5 Electric trying to raise enough money to pay for a life-saving operation for his mother Mary (Kari Matchett), whose brain tumor is causing her to lose control of her cryogenic powers. But desperation leads Connor to join forces with a small team led by a TK named Garrett (Stephen Amell). Both Amell cousins deliver strong performances, as does much of the cast, especially Matchett as a dying Mary Reed, and Kyla Kane as Nia, a Healer with a Psyke addiction, forced to work for Marcus to pay off her father’s debt.

Which Netflix Movie Starred Robbie Amell?

A familiar face in the lead Robbie Amell stars in Code 8 as Connor Reed which is only appropriate since he also starred in the 2016 short film version. You might know him from The Flash TV series but he also starred in the Netflix sci-fi thriller ARQ (2016) which was very interesting. In a good way!

For that one, however, the brilliant Samara Weaving stole the show entirely. Also, she was in the mystery mini-series 5ive Days to Midnight (2004). You might like: Our review of the Netflix series Locke & Key season 1 here >