The 2017 film “What Happened to Monday” directed by Tommy Wirkola is an action-packed thriller exploring themes of identity, family, and social control. Noomi Rapace gives an astounding performance as she plays the role of seven septuplet sisters, who are forced to hide in a world where sibling births are condemned and face the constant struggle of navigating life in a future society.
The film portrays a world with an increasing population and limited resources, creatively expanding upon the concept of a “one-child policy” to question the loss of freedom and individualism alongside the heavy-handed rule of a government. Filled with elements of action and a compelling narrative, this film is a must-see modern sci-fi for those who wish to dig deep into the consequences of authoritarian rule.
Brief Overview
The film’s setting is in the year 2073, which has seen the world’s climate scorch resources for humanity, a resulting consequence of overpopulation. In response, a global government led by the Child Allocation Bureau (CAB) tries to preserve whatever resources remaining by enforcing a strict one child policy, capture additional children, and place them into cryosleep, all while providing the façade of a caring government, which is a far cry from the grim reality of their true intentions.
As a consequence of the world’s drastic policies, we see a woman die from giving birth to septuplets. In a heart-wrenching attempt to save the children, their grandfather Terrence Settman (played by Willem Dafoe) chooses to raise all seven in secret. For them to be able to enjoy the world, he names them after days of the week and lets them go outside only for their designated turns as “Karen Settman”. The girls had to endure fleeting outside excursions which required systematic hidden practices under absolute secrecy.
Decades later, the adult sisters which are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, (all played by Noomi Rapace) have grown up and embrace the shared Karen identity. They have shared their strict identity, while all of them developing uniquely. Monday is a responsible overachiever, Tuesday is a caring nurturer, Wednesday is athletic, Thursday is a rebellious rule breaker, Friday a shy intellect, Saturday a flirtatious extrovert, and Sunday is a gentle compassionate spiritual figure.
Trouble commences when Monday goes missing after work. Her absence triggers a series of events for the remaining sisters to try to piece together what happened. Their search throws them into a perilous conspiracy involving the head of the Child Allocation Bureau, Nicolette Cayman (played by Glenn Close), who politically props up a barbaric population control scheme under the guise of being a benevolent humanitarian.
As the sisters work to solve the mystery, they themselves become targets of CAB agents. This leads to the shocking betrayal of long-held truths, brutal deaths, and a heartbreaking revelation about their sister and the world in which they inhabit.
Themes and Symbolism
At its heart, What Happened to Monday centers on the theme of individuality and societal expectations. The seven sisters, although genetically identical, embody different and unique individual personalities, talents, and dreams. However, they must all shrink their identities into a single identity—Karen Settman—in order to exist. This balance between self-expression and survival drives the film’s emotional core.
The film also examines controlling powers and authoritarianism. The Child Allocation Bureau, led by Nicolette Cayman, epitomizes a regime that licenses unspeakable horrors in the name of “humanitarian” progress. The use of cryosleep as a pretext for cold-blooded killing reflects the real-world abuses of power, and the dangers of obedience to the hierarchy.
The family and sacrifice themes also run deep. The mixed protective and tragic drive that motivates Terrence Settman to shield the sisters marks the beginning of the intricate dynamics between the sisters. With every passing moment in the film, the sisters make decisions that test their limits for each other, even as trust begins to deteriorate.
Another recurring motif is duplicity, not only in the identity of Karen that is shared, but in the societal fabric as a whole that is stitched with lies to justify policies that are inhumane. The conflict between reality and falsehood manifests in interpersonal as well as political relations.
Noomi Rapace’s Performance
Possibly the film’s most praised feature is Noomi Rapace’s as all seven sisters. Each one of them is different and is vividly portrayed by Rapace, who, as the responsible Monday or the introverted Friday, breathes life and emotion into all the sisters, making the audience care about them as individuals.
Her authentic integration into the characters and the fluid performance during shared scenes deserves recognition. The choreography, editing, and use of body doubles are so skillful that audiences frequently overlook the fact that all seven roles are performed by the same actress.
Supporting Cast and Characters
Willem Dafoe as the patriarch, Terrence Settman, in a defining role he reluctantly carries, showcases a quiet intensity marked by a distinct duality of love and the burdening burden of secrecy. He also remarkably raises the sisters in defiance of a brutal system.
As Nicolette Cayman, Glenn Close embodies icy political ambition. She is a ruthless and charismatic figure, commanding power while wielding fear and manipulation under the guise of a a benevolent facade, exercising her control over the public.
As Adrian Knowles, Marwan Kenzari adds a romantic subplot that emotionally elevates the sisters’ secret in the latter part of the film.
Direction, Style, and Action
With “What Happened to Monday”, Tommy Wirkola, a director renowned for the genre films like Dead Snow and Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters, is taking a more serious approach. The film retains a dark, gritty tone and utilizes a cold, blue-gray color palette to depict the urban setting as sterile and oppressive, straining to open the characters to fresh air. The urban setting is so suffocatingly dense that it heightens the feeling of secrecy the characters are burdened by.
The action scenes are both dynamic and often violent. They do not hold back from showing bloodshed, and the emotionally charged losses of each sister are impactful. The film is well-paced, maintaining steady suspense as the mystery is gradually revealed.
Reception and Critique
Upon release, What Happened to Monday received reviews that ranged from moderately positive to positive. Critics noted the high-concept premise and the performance of Noomi Rapace, but some remarked that the more philosophical themes of the film got drowned by the conventional action-thriller elements.
The unique idea coupled with the emotional storytelling was well received. The film has received a cult status, particularly among fans of dystopian and character-driven science fiction.
A number of critics suggested that the ending, while justifiably action-packed and rewarding in its justice, relied too heavily on exposition. Some of the moral questions posed by the film were oversimplified. Conversely, some critics liked that the film chose to focus on the characters rather than get lost in overly complicated and detailed explanations of the sci-fi elements.
Conclusion
What Happened to Monday is an audacious, feature-length work of speculative fiction that combines an emotional journey with high octane action, politics, and social commentary. Given the heart of the film, Noomi Rapace’s powerful performance, and the film’s wellcrafted screenplay, we see how the film depicts the price of identity suppression, the horror of an authoritarian regime, and the unbreakable ties of family.
It still stands out, however, in the context of the dystopian film industry, the ambition it offers, the soul it displays, and the striking depiction of female agency, where resolute forces wish to erase it.
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