In the wake of an environmental collapse that is forcing humanity to shed 20% of its population, a family dinner erupts into chaos when a father’s plan to enlist in the government’s new euthanasia program goes horribly awry. A film by Caitlin Cronenberg, starring Jay Baruchel, Emily Hampshire, Peter Gallagher, Sebastian Chacon, Alanna Bale, Sirena Gulamgaus, Uni Park, Martin Roach, Blessing Adedijo, Tara Spencer-Nairn, and Enrico Colantoni.

In the near future, humanity faces a catastrophic ecological collapse, resulting in sudden and devastating scarcities of food, water, and resources. UV levels become more dangerous, as people have to protect themselves with umbrellas when they’re outside. World leaders convene an emergency summit in Athens to find a solution. There, they establish the Athens Accord, a drastic measure that mandates a 20% reduction in world population. The secretary general of the UN announces that all international borders will be closed, and every nation will have one year to meet their population reduction goals.

The government institutes a voluntary euthanasia program as a means of population control, offering $250,000 for the family members of the volunteer. Anthropologist Professor Jared York (Jay Baruchel) sparks a controversial talk when he admits on television that he’s in favor of the government’s decision in doing whatever it takes to solve the crisis, suggesting that the age of eligibility should be lowered so people under the age of 18 can enlist.

In the kitchen, former news broadcaster Charles York sees the news about his daughter Rachel (Emily Hampshire), CEO of York Therapeutics, who is facing a class action lawsuit from plaintiffs who blame her personally for their debilitating chronic pain caused by her company’s medicine.

That day, Charles’s sons and daughters are invited to his home for a family dinner prepared by his second wife, celebrity chef Dawn Kim (Uni Park). Jared is the first to arrive. He receives a call from his ex-wife Beth (Dani Kind), who is enraged and disgusted by his comments on television. Beth asserts that their son Lucas (Payne Novak) doesn’t want to talk or see him again.

Rachel arrives with her daughter Mia (Sirena Gulamgaus), upsetting Charles, as the dinner was intended for adults only, with no unexpected guests. However, Rachel threatens to leave with Mia, and Charles reluctantly agrees to let her stay. Ashley (Alanna Bale), a struggling actress, arrives with Noah (Sebastian Chacon), Charles’s adopted son who is recovering from addiction.

At the dining table, Charles announces that he and Dawn have decided to enlist in the euthanasia program of the Department of Citizen Strategy (D.O.C.S.), shocking everyone. Charles claims he wouldn’t be able to bear the thought if the government decided to draft people due to low enlistment numbers and one of his children’s names were called. However, Ashley counters that’s not Charles’ true motive. She believes Charles wants to elevate the York family name to be remembered as the epitome of self-sacrifice because he is embarrassed and disappointed by his children.

They continue arguing in the living room while Dawn prepares dessert. But when Charles returns to the kitchen, Dawn is gone. A note explains that she can’t go through with it. Suddenly, the doorbell rings. It’s a man named Bob from D.O.C.S., arriving earlier than scheduled. Charles explains to Bob that Dawn is missing and asks to reschedule for another time, assuring him that they can do it together when Dawn returns.

Bob acts as if he understands the situation and asks to speak with Charles privately. He explains that Charles needs to sign some confidential paperwork to cancel the procedure. Charles is shocked by the document he sees and decides not to sign. Everyone is stunned and confused by Charles’s decision to continue with the euthanasia process without Dawn. He offers no explanation except to tell them that the estate will be divided evenly amongst them and asks them to be good to each other.

Following Charles’s death, his body is taken to the D.O.C.S. mobile morgue parked outside. Bob returns with armed officers and informs the family that the contract requires him to collect two cadavers, and that the York family is obligated to provide another body. Bob then gives the family two hours to decide which one of them will take Dawn’s place. He also tells them that the house is blocked so cellphones and internet won’t work; and if they can’t make a decision, he will decide for them.

Directed by Canadian filmmaker Caitlin Cronenberg in her directorial debut from an original screenplay written by Michael Sparaga, HUMANE features an intriguing premise of a dystopian future where humanity is facing an extreme environmental crisis. However, the film stumbles with underdeveloped characters and their unconvincing behaviors, making it difficult for us to root for any of them.

Ultimately, the film falls short with anticlimactic ending that feels underwhelming considering the film just dragged us through the blood and tears of elite family members who don’t seem to love each other anyway.

HUMANE was theatrically released in Canada and in the United States on 26 April 2024.