BUDS (2025)
Tagline: “In a world of darkness, true friendship is the only light.”
Plot Summary:
In the near future, the world is on the brink of collapse, with climate change, war, and widespread social unrest taking their toll. Humanity is grappling with a fractured society, trying to survive and rebuild. In the midst of it all, a group of outcasts forms an unlikely bond in Buds (2025), a dystopian survival film that explores the strength of friendship and human resilience.
The movie follows three distinct characters—Emma (played by Florence Pugh), a brilliant but emotionally scarred scientist who lost her family in a war; Leo (Timothée Chalamet), a charming but troubled street artist turned resistance fighter; and Zoey (Zendaya), a former government agent who has defected and is now hunted by her former employers. They are forced to rely on each other in their quest to find a rumored safe haven that promises safety and a chance to rebuild society. As they traverse a world of danger, they must confront their pasts, challenge their beliefs, and fight for a future that seems impossible to imagine.
Setting and Atmosphere:
The world of Buds is bleak, with crumbling cities, scorched landscapes, and remnants of once-glorious civilizations. The cinematography beautifully captures the desolation, with sweeping shots of devastated urban ruins and barren wastelands. The film’s visual style is a perfect blend of dystopian and intimate, as we watch these characters navigate not only the physical landscape but the emotional terrain of trust and vulnerability. The lighting is haunting, casting long shadows that evoke a sense of foreboding, yet there are moments of warmth, particularly in the quiet scenes between the trio, where glimmers of hope emerge. These subtle shifts in tone amplify the central theme: amidst devastation, human connection is the most powerful force.
Characters and Performances:
Florence Pugh delivers an extraordinary performance as Emma, capturing the deep sadness and quiet strength of a woman who has seen the worst of humanity but refuses to let that darkness consume her. Her character’s journey is a delicate balance of cynicism and hope, and Pugh navigates these emotions with incredible depth. Timothée Chalamet as Leo brings a raw vulnerability to his character, a young man who uses art to process his trauma and who, over time, learns that the revolution he’s fighting for is as much about emotional healing as it is about political change. Zendaya’s portrayal of Zoey is both fierce and nuanced, as she grapples with the betrayal of the system she once served and the fierce loyalty she now feels toward her new found family. Together, their chemistry is palpable, and the heart of the film lies in their interactions.
The supporting cast adds to the emotional richness of the film, especially in the form of various survivors they meet along the way—each offering a glimpse into the shattered world that was once full of life, love, and ambition. From a grizzled old war veteran (played by Bryan Cranston) to a compassionate doctor (played by Viola Davis) who risks her life to save others, every encounter shapes the protagonists’ evolving sense of what it means to fight not just for survival, but for the chance at a better tomorrow.
Themes:
Buds (2025) is a deep, philosophical exploration of survival, the meaning of hope, and the enduring power of friendship. The narrative is structured around three distinct yet interconnected themes:
- The Fragility of Humanity: The collapse of the world serves as a mirror to the internal collapse each character experiences. The film beautifully explores how human beings can be both incredibly fragile and remarkably resilient. Through Emma’s loss, Leo’s art, and Zoey’s defection, we see how trauma affects people in different ways but also how those scars can become the very things that connect them.
- Friendship as Resistance: The emotional core of Buds is the relationship between the three protagonists. In a world where trust is a rare commodity, their bond represents the last flicker of something pure. The film challenges the notion of lone-wolf survivalists in dystopian tales, showing that it’s not just about fighting for survival—it’s about surviving for each other. Their friendship becomes a form of resistance to a world that has forgotten the value of human connection.
- Hope Amidst Ruin: In the face of overwhelming destruction, Buds suggests that hope doesn’t always come in grand gestures. Sometimes, it’s found in the quiet moments, the simple gestures of kindness, and the unspoken promises we make to each other. The film doesn’t offer a conventional happy ending, but it leaves viewers with a sense of cautious optimism—suggesting that, while rebuilding the world is impossible, rebuilding ourselves and our relationships is not.
Cinematography and Direction:
Director Ava DuVernay masterfully brings Buds to life, combining large-scale world-building with intimate character-driven moments. The pacing of the film is deliberate, allowing each character’s arc to unfold naturally, while never losing sight of the action. The wide-angle shots of ruined cities and the expansive, open landscapes are breathtaking, but it’s the close-ups—the way DuVernay captures the vulnerability in her actors’ eyes—that really elevate the film. The tension between action and introspection is handled beautifully, maintaining the right balance of suspense without losing the emotional depth at its core.
The score, composed by Hildur Guðnadóttir, is haunting and evocative, underscoring the emotional weight of the film. The music complements the quiet moments of reflection just as effectively as it heightens the tension in action sequences. The sound design also plays a crucial role in immersing the audience, from the constant hum of crumbling infrastructure to the silence of the vast, empty landscapes.
Conclusion:
Buds (2025) is a gripping, thought-provoking film that resonates on multiple levels. It’s a survival story, but more importantly, it’s a film about how we cope with loss, how we find meaning in chaos, and how we connect with others when the world seems to be falling apart. With stellar performances, a haunting atmosphere, and a message that lingers long after the credits roll, Buds is a cinematic journey that speaks to the heart of what it means to be human in the face of overwhelming odds.
The movie may be set in a dystopian future, but its message is timeless: even in the darkest of times, we must hold on to one another. Buds reminds us that the most precious things in life aren’t the resources we fight for, but the people we fight with.
