Horror Movie Review: Soylent Green (1973)

Soylent Green is a 1973 American ecological dystopian film directed by Richard Fleischer, and starring Charlton Heston, Leigh Taylor-Young, and Edward G. Robinson in his final film role.

By 2022, the cumulative effects of overpopulation and pollution have caused severe worldwide shortages of food, water, and housing. New York City has a population of 40 million, and only the elite can afford spacious apartments, clean water, and natural food. The homes of the elite are fortified, with security systems and bodyguards for their tenants. Usually, they include concubines (who are referred to as “furniture”). The poor live in squalor, haul water from communal spigots, and eat highly processed wafers. Soylent Red, Soylent Yellow, and the latest product, far more flavourful and nutritious, Soylent Green.

NYPD detective Robert Thorn lives with his aged friend Sol Roth, a police analyst (referred to as a “Book”). Thorn is investigating the murder of the wealthy and influential William R. Simonson, a board member of the Soylent Corporation, which he suspects was an assassination. With the help of Simonson’s concubine Shirl, his investigation leads to a priest whom Simonson had visited shortly before his death. Because of the sanctity of the confessional, the visibly exhausted priest can only hint to Thorn at the contents of the confession.

Soon after, the priest is murdered in the confessional by Fielding, Simonson’s former bodyguard. Thorn’s superiors order him to end the investigation, but he continues. He soon becomes aware that an unknown stalker is following him. As Thorn tries to control a violent throng during a Soylent Green shortage riot, he is attacked by the assassin who killed Simonson. The killer shoots Thorn in the leg before being crushed by the hydraulic shovel of a police riot-control vehicle.

In researching the case for Thorn, Roth brings two volumes of the Soylent Oceanographic Survey Report, from Simonson’s apartment, to the team of other “Books” at the Supreme Exchange. The “Books” conclude from the reports that the oceans are dying and can no longer produce the plankton from which Soylent Green is made. This information confirms to Sol Roth that Simonson’s murder was ordered by the Soylent Green Corporation, at the risk that he knew too much.

Roth is so shaken by the truth that he decides to end his life at a local euthanasia clinic. Thorn rushes to stop him, but arrives too late. Before dying, Roth tells his discovery to Thorn. Thorn moves to uncover proof of crimes against humanity.

What horrifying truth did Sol and Thorn discover? Can they stop the continued roll-out of Soylent Green or is it just too late. Watch and find out.

Soylent Green is a classic movie. One I’ve certainly heard of but never gotten around to watching. Right off the bat I was creeped out due to it being set in 2022 and it making some eerily accurate predictions. Overpopulation, greenhouse gases, climate change, inequality amongst the classes, dying oceans and the subjugation of women are all part of today’s problems. And we were warned by the people of yesterday.

Soylent Green has a fascinating concept. The ultimate “we were warned” dystopian nightmare film. The horror lies within the reality and the real life dangers that have happened. And the future that awaits us down the road.

During the first half of the movie I was a little concerned as it followed the classic 70’s tropes of long dialogue, using many names in quick succession and following people around. It seemed to expect me to know the world and the people in it when I’d just got there and threw a lot at me very quickly. There’s also an uninteresting subplot about Thorn’s relationship with some “furniture”, which I didn’t find captivating or relevant.

But, eventually it got going and the best part for me was the second half. More specifically, the final act. The priest on the brink of insanity. Sol and Thorn eating real vegetables and meat. The stunning sequence starting from Sol’s euthanasia and leading into the factory. A real treat of realism and suspense.

Soylent Green highlights the dangers of oppressive governments and ignoring experts’ predictions. When we allow those in power to go unchecked, the world can quickly descend into turmoil. I would have liked them to explore the world more as the bits we did see helped you connect even more to those within the story.

I haven’t read this much elsewhere but for me I saw a clear metaphor for the Holocaust. The “books” seem to signify Jews who had lived through that terror and when discovering it was beginning again, Sol chooses not to relive that nightmare. Additionally, the obliviousness of the general public to what was really going on. Similar to those living around concentration camps and ghettos being unaware of the truth, or simply wanting to be blind to it.

Overall, a shocking prediction of our current times 50 years ago. An obvious classic with beautiful and horrifying moments all in one. Definitely a must watch, certainly for those who hold the Earth and all our lives in their hands.