In the near future, water has become scarce. Ernest Holm (Michael Shannon) is struggling to survive on his farm as other farms are failing around him. Mary Holm (Elle Fanning) and Jerome Holm (Kodi Smit-McPhee) are his two kids. His wife is living in an institution after an accident that left her disabled. He fights off bandits and scraps by on dwindling supplies. He supplies government workers as they drill for water promising a share for irrigation. Mary is love with scheming Flem Lever (Nicholas Hoult) who has a plan of his own.
The most compelling aspect of this movie may be the robotic mules. This movie should climax with the confrontation between Flem and Ernest. Instead, it keeps going and it changes into something different. The first half has a simplicity to its sci-fi western plot. The second half bogs down as it expands. It also doesn't help to lose Michael Shannon. There is a nice desolate world being created which falls apart.
The most compelling aspect of this movie may be the robotic mules. This movie should climax with the confrontation between Flem and Ernest. Instead, it keeps going and it changes into something different. The first half has a simplicity to its sci-fi western plot. The second half bogs down as it expands. It also doesn't help to lose Michael Shannon. There is a nice desolate world being created which falls apart.