Released in 2017, this sci-fi action film was written by American screenwriter and producer, Max Botkin and directed by Norwegian film director and producer, Tommy Wirkola.
Even though I first watched the film in the year it was released, What Happened To Monday is one that is worthy of review even today. It’s one of those really good films that just slip by you or you tend to skip due to lack of its proper marketing.
The dystopian film is set in a futuristic world during a time of political rigidity and extremity instigated by an overpopulation crisis. A strict policy was put in place to tackle this; each household or home can have only one child. The consequence of disobeying would mean, any further child or children, besides the first child, would be taken and put to sleep using a ‘Cryosleep’ chamber until whatever time in the future the population issue was resolved. All citizens have been given electronic tracking bracelets to enable efficient monitoring and enforcement by C.A.B - ‘The Child Allocation Bureau’, an agency headed by Nicolette Cayman (Glen Close), who is also running for Parliament.
During this time, Karen Settman, the daughter of Terrence Settman (Willem Dafoe) goes into labour and dies giving birth to a set of identical female septuplets. Unwilling to hand over his grandchildren to the bureau, Terrence hides and secretly raises them. It was no easy fit. The seven little girls had to take up one identity – that of their dead mother, Karen Settman. Terrence had to put so many other rules in place to keep them undetected by anyone, especially the bureau. He named each of them one of the seven days of the week. They were only allowed out on the day of the week they were named after. Despite having different personalities, they had to learn to be one person and be absolutely identical when leaving the house. As a rule, they always had to share information to ensure they were always on the same page. According to their grandfather, if something happened to one, it must happen to all. This included injuries, loss of teeth and scars, etc. Very intense!
Thirty years later, long after Terrence’s death, the seven sisters were still posing as Karen Settman. As Karen, they had the same bank job, each of them going to the same job on the day of the week their names represented. More than ever, whoever goes out for the day always had to give full account and share all information with the others in order to maintain the one identity. In the safety of their home, they could be themselves, but only in the safety of their home.
All seemed to be going well until one day - Monday doesn’t come back home from work and the sisters don’t hear from her at all. This was unusual and the other sisters did not know what to do. Tuesday was scheduled to go out the next day, and it was agreed that she was to be cautious and try to retrace Monday’s steps to discover what could have happened to her. This was the start of the truly intriguing part of the film. As events unfold, revelations are made, and the sisters are embroiled in a series of violent attacks and dangerous escapades in a bid to, not only discover the whole truth, but to stay alive.
Four really good and notable actors starred in this film. Glen Close needs no introduction and her works speak for themselves. Willem Dafoe is an actor who has starred in a harem of awesome and entertaining films, always depicting the roles memorably. To me, he is like Samuel L. Jackson; he doesn’t seem to have aged in the cinematic industry and still maintains the same aura that he has always had since he began acting decades ago. Iconic actor, Robert Wagner also stars in this film… playing a journalist, Charles Benning. And what can I say about Noomi Rapace who played the adult Settman septuplets? Not many people are familiar with this Swedish actress. She has starred in some really good films, but few people tend to know who she is or even remember her face. It’s the strangest thing as she is one of the most talented actresses out there. Her versatility and ability to adapt to her characters is really impressive.
I just want to say that I absolutely loved this film and have watched it about three times. It has such a unique and amazing story, and the plot is so deliciously woven that it just grips you from start to finish. The acting, the action, the details, and the directing all deserve a huge applaud. It always amazes me how some really exceptional films go so unnoticed and don’t get the accolade they deserve. This film certainly didn’t get the recognition it was so richly entitled to. I have only given away a taster of the film to encourage those who haven’t seen it. Such an entertaining, engaging, and exciting film deserves to be watched. Rating 9.8 out of 10.
Currently available to watch on Netflix.
Further Information
Director
Screenwriter
Played the Settman Siblings i.e. Karen Settman.
Some of her work include 2009’s crime thriller Millennium series – The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nests, 2011’s period action-mystery, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, 2012’s sci-fi horror film, Prometheus, 2015’s mystery-thriller, Child 44, 2017’s American fantasy-action film, Bright, 2019’s action-thriller, Close, 2019’s thriller-drama, Angel of Mine.
Played Terrence Settman
Played Nicolette Cayman
Played Adrian Knowles - a C.A.B security guard
Played Joe - the head of Security of the C.A.B.
Played Jerry – Karen Settman's (septuplet sisters) co-worker
Played Charles Benning - a journalist
Clara Read:
Played Young Settman (septuplets) siblings
I will definitely give this one a watch. Not on Netflix Canada though but I will find it. Thanks for the heads up Sis.
Thanks Tara. Hope you watch it🙂
Sounds intriguing and just up my street! Well done on finding this one!