Those of us who live in this community and are fans of movies and series are undoubtedly always looking for something that will surprise us. I feel that, over time, we have lost some of that capacity for wonder; I think this is due to the enormous number of productions that are released each year and that don't really contribute anything new to the collective imagination. Therefore, the emergence of new ideas is essential for a work to have a real impact on the audience. There is a very interesting combination of genres: drama and science fiction, which together create an ideal cocktail to immerse us in a good story.
Today I want to talk to you about “Pluribus,” a series from Apple TV+ set in late 2025, starring Rhea Seehorn. She is an excellent actress, best known for her role in Better Call Saul. The plot introduces us to an alien enemy that confronts humanity. This entity arrives with the goal of turning us all into a “collective hive,” a state in which we lose our individuality in exchange for the entity controlling absolutely everything. The “incentive” for this invasion is that its intention is for us all to be completely happy.
However, there is a group of humans who are immune to this “contagion,” and this is where our protagonist comes into play. The interesting thing about the series is the contrast: on the one hand, the entity seeks universal happiness; on the other, the protagonist is portrayed as someone who is not exactly happy with her life but who, despite this, fights fiercely to maintain her individuality. I think we would all agree that identity is fundamental, regardless of whether we are happier or less happy than others. During the first season, we see how she tries to preserve her mental autonomy while fighting to free those who have fallen prey to the hive. Along the way, she faces moral and ideological challenges, as well as suffering the profound loneliness that comes with not being part of the collective, which makes her doubt on several occasions what is morally right.
To avoid spoilers, I'll move on to my personal perception. The best thing about the series is its premise; I find it quite original and it's one of its strongest points. I haven't seen a similar science fiction series recently. On the other hand, Rhea Seehorn's performance is impressive; in fact, I understand that her performance earned her a Golden Globe. Overall, the script is very solid. The only thing that didn't quite convince me is that, of the nine episodes (which I found short), some have a rather slow pace. Even so, the intrigue and uncertainty about what will come next remain.
Pluribus — Official Trailer
I hope that next season we'll have at least ten episodes. It's a series that I highly recommend, as it suits the tastes of the vast majority. It poses a fascinating dilemma: would you rather be part of a collective hive where happiness is total but you can't make your own decisions, or would you rather be an individual with the freedom to suffer? Although the answer may seem obvious to many, it is a very profound moral and humanistic debate. It was a pleasure to share this with the community. See you next time!
