Project Power: The Sci-Fi Thriller Where Superpowers Come in a Pill
Imagine a world where anyone can possess extraordinary abilities, but only for five minutes. This is the high-concept premise of Project Power, a 2020 American science fiction action film distributed by Netflix. Directed by Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman, the movie blends gritty urban realism with imaginative spectacle, exploring the chaos that ensues when a dangerous drug grants temporary superpowers to the masses.
Set in a near-future New Orleans, the story follows an unlikely trio—a former soldier, a police officer, and a street-smart drug dealer—who must unite to stop the proliferation of a mysterious pill known as "Power." As they peel back the layers of a corporate conspiracy, they discover that the drug's origins are far more personal and sinister than they first imagined.
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Key Facts
- Release Date: August 14, 2020
- Platform: Netflix
- Budget: $85.1 million
- Runtime: 114 minutes
- Core Premise: A pill that grants random superpowers for exactly five minutes.
- Setting: Near-future New Orleans, Louisiana.
Plot Overview: The Cost of Power
The narrative centers on the distribution of "Power," a pill that grants users various abilities derived from animal traits, such as the camouflage of a chameleon or the resilience of a wolverine frog. The plot kicks off when Newt, a local dealer, and his cousin Robin become entangled in the drug's spread. Meanwhile, NOPD Officer Frank Shaver finds himself in a precarious position: he is a user of the drug himself, which grants him bulletproof skin, but his use of the substance leads to his suspension.
Enter Art, a former U.S. Army Major and Delta Force operator. Art is hunting "Biggie," one of the creators of the drug. Art reveals a tragic backstory involving Teleios, a private defense contractor that used him as a test subject. The experiments resulted in his daughter, Tracy, being born with innate healing powers—making her the biological source of the drug's efficacy. Teleios, led by the ruthless Dr. Gardner, seeks to stabilize the drug for mass production and military use.
The climax takes place aboard the Genesis, a ship where Teleios conducts its final tests. Through a series of intense confrontations, Art and Frank fight to rescue Tracy and dismantle the project. In a final act of sacrifice, Art uses his pistol shrimp-inspired power to trigger a massive explosion, destroying Dr. Gardner and her team, before being resurrected by Tracy's healing abilities.
The Science of the Pill
The film establishes that the "Power" pill mimics biological traits found in nature. For example, some users gain strength and size, while others gain thermal regulation or the ability to turn bones into weapons. However, the drug is unstable; overdosing can lead to catastrophic results, as seen with the character Newt.
Cast and Character Breakdown
The film features a strong ensemble cast that balances the action with emotional stakes.
| Actor | Character | Ability / Role |
|---|---|---|
| Jamie Foxx | Art | Pistol shrimp-like heatwaves/explosions |
| Joseph Gordon-Levitt | Frank Shaver | Bulletproof skin |
| Dominique Fishback | Robin Reilly | Street-smart dealer / Aspiring artist |
| Colson Baker | Newt Lasalle | Fire generation |
| Rodrigo Santoro | Biggie | Rapid increase in size and strength |
| Kyanna Simone Simpson | Tracy | Innate organic healing |
Production and Reception
Written by Mattson Tomlin, Project Power was acquired by Netflix in a competitive bidding war in 2017. Principal photography took place in New Orleans between October and December 2018. Of the $85.1 million budget, a significant $80.4 million was spent on-location in Louisiana to capture the city's unique atmosphere.
Upon its release, the film was a commercial success for Netflix, reaching 75 million households within its first four weeks. Critical reception was mixed-to-positive. While critics praised the visual effects, action choreography, and the performance of Dominique Fishback, some felt the screenplay failed to fully explore the moral complexities of its premise, such as the socio-economic impact on New Orleans residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do the superpowers last in Project Power?
The superpowers granted by the pill last for exactly five minutes per dose.
What is the source of the powers in the film?
The powers are derived from animal abilities, but the biological source is Tracy, the daughter of Art, who was born with innate powers due to experiments conducted by Teleios.
Who is the primary antagonist of the movie?
The primary antagonists are Dr. Gardner, the head of Project Power, and the private defense contractor Teleios.
Where was Project Power filmed?
The movie was filmed on-location in New Orleans, Louisiana.
What happens to Art at the end of the film?
Art sacrifices himself to kill Dr. Gardner and her men using a massive explosion, but he is subsequently resurrected by his daughter Tracy's healing powers.