Crimes of the Future

Crimes of the Future

Year: 2022

Runtime: 107 min

Language: English

Director: David Cronenberg

Echo Score: 71

Budget: $35M

Sci-FiDramaHorror

In a dystopian future where the human body undergoes synthetic evolution, performance artist Saul Tenser showcases unsettling transformations of his own organs alongside his partner, Caprice. As Saul’s fame grows, a detective, Timlin, begins to monitor their activities. However, a shadowy organization sees an opportunity to exploit Saul's notoriety, intending to reveal a disturbing progression in human evolution and further obscure the line between biology and technology.

Crimes of the Future (2022) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Crimes of the Future (2022) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In a near‑future world where biotechnology has become routine, human bodies are seamlessly fused with machines that regulate organ function and even replace pain with sterile precision. Surgeries are performed in plain sight, and the line between biology and technology has blurred to the point where new organs can sprout as naturally as thoughts. This unsettling landscape is populated by quiet anomalies—people who digest plastic, children with inexplicable abilities, and a society that has largely abandoned the notion of vulnerability.

At the heart of this milieu is the performance‑artist duo Saul Tenser and Caprice, whose work turns the body itself into a stage. Tenser lives with an accelerated‑evolution syndrome that forces his flesh to generate novel organs on a continual loop, a condition that both torments him and fuels their provocative shows. Together they stage live extractions, turning surgery into spectacle and intimacy, suggesting that the act of cutting and rebuilding has become a new, intimate language for a world that has redefined desire.

Monitoring their unsettling art is Timlin, a detective whose official role forces her to watch the boundary‑pushing performances for signs of unrest. Fascinated as much as she is wary, she becomes a conduit between the sterile bureaucracy of the National Organ Registry and the raw, corporeal expression of Tenser’s art. Her presence adds a layer of tension, hinting at larger forces that see both danger and opportunity in the couple’s radical displays.

The film moves in a tone that is both clinical and erotic, a coldly elegant portrait of a society eager to rewrite what it means to be human. It invites the audience to wonder how far art can go when the body itself is no longer a fixed vessel, and what consequences might arise when technology, evolution and desire intersect on a public stage.

Last Updated: August 09, 2025 at 21:30

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Bleak Transhumanist Futures like Crimes of the Future

Stories exploring the dark and painful consequences of technological evolution.Explore more movies like Crimes of the Future that delve into dystopian futures shaped by transhumanism. These similar sci-fi stories feature body horror and philosophical themes, presenting heavy, dark tales about the merging of technology and humanity.

dystopianunsettlingphilosophicalsomberclinicaltransgressivemelancholic

Narrative Summary

Narratives involve characters grappling with radical bodily or societal changes, often framed as a disturbing new normal. The central conflict arises from the clash between an evolving reality and the remnants of human nature, leading to explorations of grief, loss, and the search for meaning in a synthetic world.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared focus on the dark side of transhumanism, using dystopian settings to explore heavy themes of identity, loss, and the clinical, painful intersection of the organic and the artificial.

Movies about Transgressive Art like Crimes of the Future

Stories where avant-garde art blurs the line between creation and suffering.If you liked the performance art themes in Crimes of the Future, discover more movies featuring transgressive art. These similar dramas and thrillers explore artists who use pain, their bodies, or shocking acts to create, often within a dark and complex narrative.

transgressiveunsettlingpainfulclinicalsomberpsychologicalavant-garde

Narrative Summary

The plot follows an artist or performer whose controversial work attracts scrutiny, admiration, and danger. Their artistic journey is intertwined with personal trauma, leading to a narrative that questions the nature of art, pain, and the limits of the human body or spirit.

Why These Movies?

These films share a focus on the process and impact of extreme, boundary-pushing art. They are united by a dark, complex tone, a slow build of unease, and a deep exploration of the connection between creativity and suffering.

Unlock the Full Story of Crimes of the Future

Don't stop at just watching — explore Crimes of the Future in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Crimes of the Future is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Crimes of the Future Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Crimes of the Future, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Crimes of the Future Summary

Crimes of the Future Timeline

Track the full timeline of Crimes of the Future with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Crimes of the Future Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Crimes of the Future

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Crimes of the Future. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Crimes of the Future

Crimes of the Future Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of Crimes of the Future? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

Crimes of the Future Ending Explained

More About Crimes of the Future

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Crimes of the Future: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Crimes of the Future

Similar Movies to Crimes of the Future

Discover movies like Crimes of the Future that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.