Gattaca
A film about genetic discrimination in a eugenics-driven future.
Gattaca, released in 1997, is an American dystopian science fiction film that marked Andrew Niccol's debut as a feature film director, with him also serving as writer. The cast is led by Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, with supporting performances from Jude Law, Loren Dean, Ernest Borgnine, Gore Vidal, and Alan Arkin. The story is set in a future where eugenics dominates society: children are typically conceived through genetic selection to inherit the best traits from their parents. The protagonist, Vincent Freeman (played by Hawke), was conceived naturally, outside this program, and must fight against genetic discrimination to achieve his ambition of traveling to space.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Andrew Niccol
- Producer
- Danny DeVito / Michael Shamberg / Stacey Sher / Gail Lyon
- Starring
- Ethan Hawke / Uma Thurman / Alan Arkin / Jude Law / Loren Dean / Gore Vidal
- Music
- Michael Nyman
- Cinematography
- Sławomir Idziak
- Editing
- Lisa Zeno Churgin
- Studio
- Columbia Pictures / Jersey Films
- Distributor
- Sony Pictures Releasing
- Released
- 24 October 1997 · United States
- Runtime
- 106 minutes
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English / Esperanto
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The film's title is based on the letters G, A, T, and C, which stand for guanine, adenine, thymine, and cytosine, the four nucleobases of DNA. It was shot under the working title The Eighth Day, but was retitled Gattaca to avoid confusion with the Belgian film Le huitième jour. The exteriors and some interior shots of the Gattaca complex were filmed at Frank Lloyd Wright's 1960 Marin County Civic Center in San Rafael, California. The speakers in the complex broadcast announcements in both Esperanto and English.
Reader's Guide
Gattaca explores concerns over reproductive technologies that facilitate eugenics and the possible consequences for society. It also examines the idea of destiny and how it governs lives, with characters battling both society and themselves to find their place according to their genes. The film received positive reviews, with an 82% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 64 out of 100. Critics praised its smart script and provocative ideas. Despite a modest box office performance of $12.5 million against a $36 million budget, the film has endured as a thought-provoking work. A follow-up series was in development at Showtime but was cancelled as of 2023.
Did You Know?
- The film's title comes from the letters G, A, T, and C, representing the four nucleobases of DNA.
- The opening title sequence features oversized models of fingernails and hair created by Michael Riley.
- The film was shot under the working title The Eighth Day, referencing the seven days of creation in the Bible.
- The score for Gattaca was composed by Michael Nyman.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gattaca about?
Set in a future where children are genetically selected at conception, the story centers on Vincent Freeman, a naturally born man who forges a dead stranger's identity to chase his dream of interplanetary travel. The film examines how a eugenics-obsessed society dehumanizes those deemed 'invalid.'
Who directed Gattaca?
Andrew Niccol both wrote and directed the 1997 film, which served as his feature-length directorial debut.
How does Gattaca end?
Vincent ultimately succeeds in his space mission, launching into orbit and fulfilling the dream he was told was impossible for his 'natural' genetics. In the final shot, a passenger on a later flight is revealed to be a naturally conceived child, hinting that the rigid genetic hierarchy is beginning to crack.
Who plays Vincent Freeman in Gattaca?
Ethan Hawke portrays the protagonist, a naturally conceived man who must assume the identity of Jerome Morrow (played by Jude Law) to navigate a genetically stratified world. Uma Thurman co-stars as Irene, a colleague who becomes Vincent's romantic interest.
Why is Gattaca significant in science fiction?
Released in 1997, it was one of the first major studio films to dramatize genetic discrimination and the ethics of eugenics in a near-future setting. Its themes of identity, meritocracy, and biological determinism have kept it culturally relevant as real-world genetic technologies continue to advance.
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