Kristen Stewart and Nicholas Hoult Find Love in Emotion-Free Society in ‘Equals’

Sandra Miska

Kristen Stewart, star of the wildly popular “Twilight” franchise, once again finds love against all odds in the new science fiction film “Equals.” Living in a future sexless dystopian society where emotions have been eradicated, Stewart manages to become attached and attracted to dashing blue-eyed “X-Men” actor Nicholas Hoult.

Hoult stars as Silas, an illustrator who has been working closely with writer Nia (Stewart) for years in the same office. Silas and Nia live in The Collective, a society where not only emotions have been wiped out but sex is also forbidden. As one can probably imagine, the citizens are extremely productive and there are no wars. Everything changes when the previously placid Silas finds himself developing feelings for Nia. The powers that be have already identified Silas’ “disease” as “Switched-On Syndrome,” or SOS, and the health and safety department works overtime stopping its spread. As an infected person, Silas becomes an outcast.

Nia has also been afflicted with SOS, but she is a “hider,” meaning she is able to mask her emotions and go undetected. However, she can’t hide her true feelings from Silas and the two embark on a secret romance, forcing him to transfer out of the office to avoid trouble. He joins an SOS support group where he meets health and safety worker Jonas (Guy Pearce) and medic Bess (Jacki Weaver), both hiders, of course. A “cure” for SOS is eventually discovered and the two lovers are faced with a difficult choice.

American director Drake Doremus helmed “Equals.” Doremus, now 33, was the youngest fellow ever to be accepted into the AFI Conservatory. His previous films include the romances “Like Crazy” and “Breathe In.”

“Equals” had its North American premiere last fall at the Toronto International Film Festival. There, Stewart gave an interview to Variety in which she said she found her role as Nia somewhat painful, alluding to her past relationships, but found filming to be a cathartic experience.

“We’re actors,” she said. “We love nothing more than to be over-indulgent and think about things too much.”

“Equals” opens July 15 in select theaters across the country.