Gattaca

Gattaca

Release Date

1997

Director

  • Andrew Niccol

Cast

  • Ethan Hawke
  • Uma Thurman
  • Jude Law
  • Gore Vidal

In a dystopian future that prizes ideal DNA above all, a genetically inferior man assumes the identity of a superior one in order to pursue his lifelong dream of space travel.

In the not-too-distant future, a less-than-perfect man wants to travel to outer space. Society has categorized Vincent Freeman (Ethan Hawke) as a genetically inferior "in-valid," and he has become one of the underclass of humans that are only useful for menial jobs. He decides to fight his fate by purchasing the genes of Jerome Morrow (Jude Law), a perfect genetic specimen. He assumes Jerome's identity and joins the Gattaca space program, where he falls in love with Irene (Uma Thurman). Just when Vincent is finally scheduled for a space mission, a Gattaca officer (Gore Vidal) is killed and the police begin an investigation, jeopardizing his secret.

Past Programs

2012

The Field of Personalized Medicine

Real Art Ways, Hartford, CT

2013

Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders

The Nickelodeon, Columbia, SC

2014

The Debate Over Ethics and Genetics

Belcourt Theatre, Nashville, TN

2016

Battling Disease Through Gene Editing

Moxie Cinema, Springfield, MO

2017

Forensic Science In Crisis: How Proteins Can Help

The State Theatre, Modesto, CA

2018

Nurture vs. nature: How Gattaca got it wrong

The Art Theater, Champaign, IL

2019

2021

The biological basis of human achievement

Ragtag Cinema, Columbia, MO

2023

2024

Picture perfect: Tackling the science of genetics

California Film Institute, San Rafael, CA

Upcoming Programs

Scientific and ethical implications of the future

Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline, MA