If you’re a fan of dystopian movies like “The Hunger Games” and “Divergent,” then you should check out the “The Thinning.” “The Thinning” tells the story of a suppressed society that is dealing with overpopulation. To control it, they have created a standardized test that students must take each year from 1st to 12th grade. Those who pass continue living in the society, while the ones who fail are executed.
For a YouTube movie, the concept of the film was great, especially for a dystopian film, as they are often hard to pull off. It takes a lot of development, but it is clear that the director took his time when creating this film.
The movie follows Laina Michaels, played by Peyton List, and Blake Redding, played by Logan Paul, both of whom are taking the test for their final time. When Laina finds out that she failed the test, she suspects that her score was tampered with, leading her to go against the school and find out the truth behind her rigged score.
From the moment the movie starts, the emotions of each character can be seen as they wait to take the test. The director did a great job capturing those moments, making the characters easy to connect and sympathize with.
List breaks the Disney mold with her role as Laina Michaels. She does an amazing job in this film, and her acting shows that she can embody any role given to her. One can see she has come a long way since her debut on the Disney Channel.
Paul also does a great job in this film. He definitely had a lot to prove, considering he is known for his comedy videos online. His action scenes, as well as his serious demeanor during the film, portray him in a completely different light. If you are a fan of Paul, you won’t be disappointed.
Though this is a great movie for fans of dystopian storylines, anyone can enjoy this film. The only con is that to watch this movie, you have to subscribe to YouTube Red. However, new members can get a 30-day free trial, which is plenty of time to work this film into your schedule.
