Chaos Walking (2021), directed by Doug Liman, is an action-packed, thought-provoking science fiction film that explores the complexities of the human mind, societal control, and the consequences of technology gone awry. Based on the 2008 novel The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness, the film is adapted from the first book in Ness’s Chaos Walking trilogy. Set in a dystopian future where all the women have mysteriously disappeared and the men are burdened by a condition called “Noise,” which forces their thoughts to be heard by everyone around them, the film follows the journey of Todd Hewitt (played by Tom Holland) as he uncovers dangerous secrets and grapples with his place in the world.

The plot is set in a world where thoughts are no longer private—every person’s innermost feelings, desires, and fears are made audible to everyone else, creating a chaotic, noisy environment that deeply impacts the lives of the residents. Todd, a young man who is on the brink of adulthood, is the protagonist of the story. He lives in a town called Prentisstown, where only men remain, as all the women were killed under mysterious circumstances. This unusual condition leads to an almost unbearable level of chaos, as Todd’s thoughts are always exposed, leaving him vulnerable to others’ judgment. His life is thrown into turmoil when he encounters Viola (played by Daisy Ridley), a mysterious young woman who crashes into his world, sparking a journey of survival, self-discovery, and rebellion.