THX 1138

THX 1138 is a dystopic, futuristic film centered around the title character, who lives in a society so intently focused on production and consumption that it admonishes most human emotion, as this is seen to be a distraction. The character of THX is partnered with LUH 3417, and these two go off their sedation and experience love. The byproduct of this, however, their sexuality, is one of the highest crimes one can commit in this society. As close watch is kept on the workers, so THX and LUH are caught and punished, and attempt to escape.

The intended purpose of the film is largely unclear to me, but I found myself thinking a lot about the other dystopic novels and films I’ve seen and read. In some cases, the society is created out of a desire to form a utopia, for the good of the citizens, but the rules get out of hand. In others, the society is created because of some kind of dictatorial ruler or rulers who want to control humans. In THX 1138, we’re not really sure what the situation is, because the background of this society is never clear. Because of this, it seems to me that the emphasis or lesson the film is trying to convey is not a matter of what to avoid, but of what to value. Through the film we see that the people in charge see THX as merely a cog in a machine, but he is shown as an individual. Individuality, it seems, is the theme of the movie, and THX’s liberation from this society was almost entirely of his own willpower, save the help of the hologram. Though the police officers keep saying they only want what is best for him, and the religion instructs workers to “be happy,” only each specific person can decide what is best for him or her, and in the end, even the ability to make this choice is enough for THX.