HBO’s new dystopian TV series THE LAST OF US is an adaptation of a dystopian video game that was inspired in part by Alfonso Cuarón’s dystopian film CHILDREN OF MEN, a strikingly timely 2006 thriller whose consideration of cynicism and hope at the world’s end has only grown more timely in the intervening years. So we’re returning to the source of this cross-medium journey through apocalyptic hellscapes, in a conversation about how and why Cuarón’s film continues to resonate, from its efficient worldbuilding and nuanced politics to its well-wrought humor and visceral filmmaking style. Plus, an alternate pairing suggestion in Feedback inspires some live brainstorming of a hypothetical COCAINE BEAR episode.
Please share your comments, thoughts, and questions about CHILDREN OF MEN, THE LAST OF US, or anything else in the world of film, by sending an email to comments@nextpictureshow.net, or leaving a short voicemail at (773) 234-9730.
Outro music: “Bless the Beasts and Children” by the Carpenters
Works Cited
• “Alfonso Cuarón's Children of Men Is a Dystopian Masterpiece,” by Abraham Josephine Riesman (vulture.com)
• “Scenic Routes: Children of Men,” by Mike D’Angelo (avclub.com)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#331: Once Upon a Toon In Hollywood, Pt. 2 – Chip 'n' Dale: Rescue Rangers
#330: Once Upon a Toon in Hollywood Pt. 1 — Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
#329: Into the Raimiverse, Pt. 2: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
#328: Into the Raimiverse, Pt. 1: Army of Darkness
Bonus: Our Favorite Films of 2022 (So Far)
#327: Cage Match, Pt. 2 — The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
#326: Cage Match, Pt. 1 — Adaptation
#325: Multiple Choice, Pt. 2 — Everything Everywhere All At Once
#324: Multiple Choice, Pt. 1 — Blind Chance
#323: Tex-Mess, Pt. 2 — X (2022)
#322: Tex-Mess, Pt. 1 — The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
#321: Bye, Robot Pt. 2 — After Yang
#320: Bye, Robot Pt. 1 — A.I. Artificial Intelligence
#319: No Time to Dye, Pt. 2 — Kimi
#318: No Time to Dye, Pt. 1 — Run Lola Run
#317: Star Crossed Pt. 2 — Marry Me
#316: Star Crossed, Pt. 1 — Notting Hill
#315: Toil and Trouble Pt. 2 — The Tragedy of Macbeth (2022)
#314: Toil and Trouble Pt. 1 — Throne of Blood
#313: Tales as Old as Time, Pt. 2 — Belle (2021)
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Best Song Podcast
The Secret History Of Hollywood
Every Single Sci-Fi Film Ever*
Deep Blue Sea - The Podcast
The Queer Quadrant