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Sci-fi film

Future World (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Future World (2018) movie poster

Future World is a 2018 sci-fi film directed by Bruce Thierry Cheung, starring James Franco as Warlord, Suki Waterhouse and Lucy Liu. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes and earned $163,313 worldwide. Critics gave it 10 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 3.3/10.

IMDb rating
3.3/10
worldwide gross
$163.3K
Echo Score
30
Metascore
10
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Future World (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 30m (90 min)
Genre
Sci-Fi
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Future World About?

The premise of Future World without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In a bleak and desolate world, a prince undertakes a dangerous quest to find a legendary cure for his ailing mother, the queen. His journey takes him through harsh wastelands, where he must evade ruthless marauders and their motorcycle gangs, led by a formidable Warlord. He unexpectedly joins forces with Ash, a robotic assassin searching for her own humanity, and together they confront the Druglord’s army in a final attempt to save what remains of humanity from total extinction.

Future World Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • post apocalypse
  • robot
  • android
  • all star cast
  • two word title
  • electronic music score
  • slow motion scene
  • directed by cast member
  • eyes different color
  • scene during opening credits
  • scene during end credits
  • surprise during end credits
+38 more
  • voice over narration
  • earth viewed from space
  • post nuclear war
  • desert
  • palm tree
  • near future
  • dystopia
  • female robot
  • hypodermic needle
  • injection
  • chase
  • motorcycle chase
  • commune
  • mother son relationship
  • disarming someone
  • knocked unconscious
  • long take
  • fistfight
  • fight
  • brawl
  • martial arts
  • mixed martial arts
  • hand to hand combat
  • knife fight
  • threatened with a knife
  • knife
  • machete
  • woman fights a man
  • man punches a woman
  • punched in the chest
  • punched in the face
  • woman punches a man
  • beating
  • beaten to death
  • fight to the death
  • combat
  • drugs
  • drug use
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Cast & crew

Future World Cast & Characters

James Franco leads the cast as Warlord, with Suki Waterhouse as Ash and Lucy Liu as Queen. Directed by Bruce Thierry Cheung; 13 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Future World

· 9 more
From the director

More from Bruce Thierry Cheung

More films directed by Bruce Thierry Cheung, best-rated first: Don't Come Back from the Moon and The Color of Time.

Full filmography
Ratings

Future World Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Future World 10 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 3.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 30/100, strongest in sensory experience (40) and weakest in rewatch factor (20).

30 /100

Future World Echo Score Breakdown

In overall terms, Future World struggles to overcome its derivative foundation and uneven execution. Critics and many viewers cited the film’s unoriginal premise and disjointed structure, echoing frequent allusions to its Mad Max inspirations without offering distinctive narrative substance. While a minority appreciated its low-budget charm and occasional humorous moments, the predominant reaction highlights lackluster pacing and minimal emotional engagement. The sparse thematic development and uneven quality across performances further undermine its impact. Ultimately, Future World leaves a shallow impression with limited appeal beyond genre completists.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 30

    In terms of art and craft, Future World exhibits inconsistent visual execution and production design. The film’s post-apocalyptic settings feel underfunded, with patchy editing and an overuse of varied camera angles that yield a cluttered aesthetic. Some sequences, such as the desert fight scenes, demonstrate competent staging, but these moments are overshadowed by threadbare set decoration and uneven cinematography. As a result, the overall visual presentation lacks cohesion and polish.

  • Character & Emotion 35

    When it comes to character and emotion, the performances in Future World offer few lasting impressions. Milla Jovovich delivers a campy, charismatic turn, but most other characters suffer from thin development and unconvincing portrayals, notably the lead and antagonists. Limited roles for Lucy Liu and uneven line delivery diminish emotional resonance. Consequently, the film struggles to foster meaningful connection with its characters.

  • Story & Flow 25

    Regarding story and flow, Future World adheres to a familiar quest structure but falters in originality and coherence. The plot advances through a series of loosely connected set pieces, resulting in uneven pacing and jarring transitions. Dialogue often lacks clarity, and thematic depth is minimal, leaving character motivations underexplored. As a result, the narrative engagement is undermined by rushed developments and repetitive post-apocalyptic tropes.

  • Sensory Experience 40

    In terms of sensory experience, Future World delivers mixed results. The soundtrack intermittently complements the action with moderate energy, but sound design occasionally feels unbalanced. Visual styling embraces vibrant color contrasts and inventive effects, yet the inconsistent editing and overuse of rapid camera movements can hamper immersion. While standout sequences such as fight scenes provide visceral excitement, the overall sensory cohesion remains fragmented.

  • Rewatch Factor 20

    Considering rewatch factor, Future World offers limited appeal for repeated viewings. Although it holds nostalgic charm for enthusiasts of low-budget genre fare, the film’s uneven quality and lack of substantive depth diminish its replay value. Memorable moments are scarce, and the derivative nature of the plot reduces curiosity about subsequent viewings. Viewers are unlikely to revisit the experience beyond initial novelty.

Plot

Future World Plot Summary

What happens in Future World from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In a future where humanity’s breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and robotics push the boundaries of possibility, the world fractures into a brutal post-apocalyptic landscape. The rise of intelligent machines has left behind a wasteland where scarce resources are jealously guarded, and survival hinges on wits, courage, and an uneasy barter with factions that wield technology like weapons. In this harsh setting, the remnants of civilization cling to the edge of order, while the machines continue to hide, waiting for the right moment to reassert control.

Full summary

The whole story of Future World, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Future World Box Office

Future World grossed $163,313 worldwide.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$163.3K

International
$163.3K
Videos

Future World Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Future World.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Future World?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What are the colors of Ash's eyes when she awakens?

Details

Future World Also Known As

19 alternative titles, including “Futur infernal” and “Guerreros del futuro”.

Also known as
  • Futur infernal
  • Guerreros del futuro
  • 未來世界
  • Бъдещ свят
  • Мир будущего
  • Світ майбутнього
  • Amanecer oscuro
  • 未来世界
  • Gelecek Dünya
  • Martwy świat
  • フューチャーワールド
  • A jövő világa
+7 more
  • Guerreiros do Futuro
  • Svět budoucnosti
  • 퓨쳐 월드
  • עולם העתיד
  • สงครามล่าคนเหล็ก
  • Lumea viitoare
  • 末日荒原

Seen Future World?

FAQ

Future World FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Future World, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Future World?

Future World runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).

When was Future World released?

Future World was released on May 25, 2018.

Who directed Future World?

Future World was directed by Bruce Thierry Cheung.

More films by Bruce Thierry Cheung

Who is in the cast of Future World?

Future World stars James Franco as Warlord, Suki Waterhouse as Ash and Lucy Liu as Queen, among 13 credited actors.

How much did Future World make at the box office?

Future World grossed $163,313 worldwide.

How is Future World rated?

Future World has 3.3/10 on IMDb, 10 on Metacritic, 44% on TMDB and 1.7/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Future World have a post-credit scene?

No. Future World has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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