Things to Come

Things to Come

Year: 1936

Runtime: 100 mins

Language: English

Director: William Cameron Menzies

Drama

In a bleak future, a centuries‑long second World War ravages the planet, spreading disease and plunging societies into anarchy. After the conflict finally subsides, a pragmatic, rational state rises from the ruins, rebuilding civilization and embarking on an ambitious program of space travel.

Things to Come (1936) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Things to Come (1936) 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 world scarred by a centuries‑long second World War, the remnants of humanity cling to the ruins of once‑great cities while a wandering disease turns the living into restless shadows. Out of this bleakness a pragmatic, rational order begins to take shape, determined to stitch together the fragments of civilization and turn its gaze toward the stars. The atmosphere is one of stark contrast: the cold, skeletal skylines of ruined metropolises stand beside the crisp, hopeful hum of newly imagined machines, suggesting both the weight of loss and the promise of renewal.

At the heart of this emerging order is an aging former pilot, John Cabal, whose wartime experience has forged a meticulous mind and an unshakable belief in humanity’s capacity to rebuild. His vision is carried forward by his grandson, Oswald Cabal, now the public face of the government, who balances the demands of stewardship with the restless ambition that drives the new regime. Across the fractured landscape, a charismatic warlord known only as the Boss commands a pocket of survivors, his pragmatic ruthlessness offering a foil to the idealism of the Cabals. Meanwhile, a contemplative sculptor, Theotocopulos, voices the growing public yearning for a pause in relentless progress, while scientists such as Catherine Cabal and Maurice Passworthy embody the drive to push humanity beyond Earth’s battered surface.

Together these figures embody the central tension of the film: a society poised between the necessity of order and the danger of unending acceleration. As the new government prepares to launch a bold extraterrestrial venture, the chorus of voices—political, artistic, scientific—asks whether the pursuit of the unknown must eclipse the simple act of simply being. The tone remains meditative, inviting the audience to feel the weight of a world rebuilding itself while wondering what price will be paid for the dream of reaching the stars.

Last Updated: December 05, 2025 at 10:13

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Epic stories of societal collapse and rebirth like Things to Come

Epic stories tracing the catastrophic fall and uncertain rebuilding of human society.For viewers who liked the grand scope of Things to Come, this list features movies that explore the cyclical nature of civilization. These similar sci-fi and drama stories depict worlds shattered by catastrophe and the subsequent, often tense, struggle to build a new future from the ruins.

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Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread often follow a multi-generational or epoch-spanning structure, moving from a period of stability into a sharp, dramatic collapse. The core conflict shifts from survival against immediate threats to ideological battles over the shape of the new society, leaving the ultimate success of the rebirth ambiguous.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped together because they share a profound interest in macro-level societal forces, a high-stakes tone, and a heavy emotional weight derived from witnessing the destruction and tentative reconstruction of entire worlds. They are united by their epic scale and philosophical preoccupation with civilization's cycles.

Movies about unsettling technological utopias like Things to Come

Stories where technological progress creates a peaceful but oppressive and soulless society.If you liked the second half of Things to Come and its depiction of a sterile, controlled utopia, explore these similar films. These sci-fi dramas and thrillers examine societies where technological progress eliminates conflict but also suppresses humanity, leading to tense philosophical debates.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern often involves a character or group awakening to the dystopian reality lurking beneath a seemingly perfect world. The central conflict is internal and ideological, pitting the virtues of safety and efficiency against the chaotic necessities of art, love, and free will, rarely reaching a clear resolution.

Why These Movies?

These movies share a specific tonal blend: a surface-level serenity underpinned by deep tension and philosophical dread. They are connected by their focus on the ethical dilemmas of progress, a melancholic or bleak mood, and a pacing that allows for slow-burn unease rather than action-driven plots.

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Things to Come Summary

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Things to Come Summary

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Things to Come Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Things to Come

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Things to Come

More About Things to Come

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