Dystopia, as well as utopia

Dystopia, as well as utopia

Dystopia, as well as utopia, are two worlds that are most popular in science fiction stories and movies. Utopia represents a perfect world that everything runs smoothly. In the utopian society, there is no inequality, oppression, poverty, diseases, among others. People live in happiness. On the other hand, the dystopian society is one that has flaws. People in these types of environment live in a controlled and repressive state. One of the films that display these two concepts is a 1997 fiction film Gattaca by Andrew Niccol’s film. Gattaca shows a future society using genetic engineering to produce superhumans and highlights some of the problems this technology might bring.

From the outside, the society portrayed in the film seem to be utopian. People are seen to be living in happiness where they can deal with diseases and correct imperfections they were born and live with. Life appears to be all perfect for the ‘valids’ who have undergone genetic engineering. Vincent, the protagonist in the film, says that it is easier to achieve success when one is genetically superior. Vincent’s parents believe that their next child would only be successful if genetic engineering were employed.

While the society in the film, superficially seems to live in utopia, it deeply presents a dystopian society. Life is not perfect, after all. The life for the ‘valids’ who believed in a perfect life is displayed to be not perfect through Jerome’s plight and his ultimate tragic death. Also, the invalid’s subjucation is another dystopia’s element portrayed in Niccol’s film. Vincent, for instance, believes that nobody could match his potential. With both valids and Invalids agreeing that there is no need to try to manipulate the genetic code, it is clear that the society displayed is not perfect either.