Opened: May 19, 2018

Directed by: Ramin Bahrani

Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Michael Shannon, Sofia Boutella, Khandi Alexander, Lilly Singh, Martin Donovan, Andy McQueen, Dylan Taylor, Grace Lynn Kung & Keir Dullea

Though it’s beautifully shot and features gripping performances from Michael B. Jordan and Michael Shannon, Fahrenheit 451 falters by not focusing on the damaging qualities of its storyline.

Captain John Beatty (Shannon) oversees Guy Montag (Jordan) in their Cleveland fire department that’s bent on destroying books after the Second Civil War. When Guy starts to learn about U.S. history before the war, he begins to question what he knows to be right and wrong.

In a time when books are easily being banned across the country, the film holds a scary message of what the near future could look like. However, it strays away from the dangers of burning books and instead focuses on the power dynamic between Beatty and Guy, which is not the story that needs to be told.

Final say: The script deviates from the message. ★★☆☆☆