The Kitchen – An Impressive Indie Sci-Fi Drama (Early Review)

Not to be confused with the 2019 film of the same name, this version of The Kitchen is a much different film that has absolutely nothing to do with the former. Premiering at the closing night film of last October’s BFI London Film Festival, the feature directorial debut of Daniel Kaluuya and Kibwe Tavares and the feature film writing debut of the former (along with Joe Murtagh), this dystopian sci-fi drama shows some impressive vision in what albeit was a story that doesn’t bring much new to the table. While the social commentary is plainly there for audiences to see, this did not make the film any less powerful as its backdrop was merely a means to tell a story about two lonely souls looking for connection. Harnessing scope and emotion in a compelling enough fashion, it never gets too big for its own good as its core story is what ultimately keeps it going. That being said, perhaps showing signs of the filmmakers’ inexperience, it fails to bring depth to and find the right balance between its premise, characters, and story as it tried to connect those pieces together in a satisfying way for audiences. More than anything, many will surely connect to the elements it clearly takes inspiration from as part of the world it brings to life, a world that appears not too far away from that of the present.

As mentioned, The Kitchen takes place in a dystopian version of London where all social housing has been systematically eliminated, with the exception of the one community refusing to abandon their homes, a community known as “The Kitchen.” In the midst of that uncertainty, the film offers audiences a window into this uncertain world through the eyes of Izi (Robinson) and Benji (Bannerman), a man trying to finally leave the Kitchen and a recent orphan who, for some reason, gravitated to him. Often a victim of their circumstances, for the residents of the Kitchen, the poor and the marginalized, opportunities to overcome those circumstances were few and far between. Keeping his head down and working at a new age funeral parlor, Izi appeared to finally amass the funds to secure a new home outside of the Kitchen. However, that already complicated process became even more so with the addition of Benji. There was just something about Izi that drew Benji to him and there was something about Benji that Izi couldn’t shake off. While the film’s premise and social commentary may be anything new, it’s that central relationship and how it evolves over the course of the film that rises above it all.

Though that relationship was easily the best part of the film, more work could have been done there to develop Izi and Benji along with the setting that shaped their current circumstances. Focused on taking care of himself for so long, learning to let someone else in felt very much like a new thing to him. Seeking for purpose and a place in the world following the death of his single mother and his mysterious absentee father being out of the picture, Benji found himself in the Kitchen where he had to fend for himself amongst the final bastion of what society used to be though he wasn’t the only one who had to fend for themselves. In order to force out the residents of the Kitchen, they faced constant police raids and routine shortages of basic resources like food and water in an attempt to literally starve them out. Nevertheless, they persisted by whatever means necessary. Keeping an eye on Benji, Izi couldn’t help but feel protective of him as they were left to both face the harsh reality that was the Kitchen. In the end, the prospects of a life free from the Kitchen continued to loom large, and whether or not that life included Benji remained to be seen. Finding a way to navigate to that ultimate goal with that extra variable did complicate things but it also helped put things in perspective for Izi.

Despite an indie budget, the world of The Kitchen is a sight to behold. It’s futuristic enough without getting carried away or become too distracting to main plot, merely accentuating the contrast between circumstances. It would have been nice to have gotten more out of it but for what it is, it succeeds at its purpose. However, the best part of the film is the sensational performances of Robinson and Bannerman as Izi and Benji. Their chemistry was easily the highlight as a pair of souls who found each other through their shared adversity. Robinson brought charm and charisma to the soft-spoken Izi, someone who carried a lot on his shoulders, primarily the weight of his future, but the lack of character development on his part meant a wall between audiences and the true depth of his struggles. Meanwhile, for Benji, things were more clear-cut. Bannerman, as the young and vulnerable young man, essentially had to grow up on his own. Through that, he and Izi found each other and that chemistry between them sold that dynamic beautifully. However, the film could have gone further with it.

At the end of the day, The Kitchen is a promising debut that is not without flaws, but it still delivers a powerful indie sci-fi drama with sensational performances.

still courtesy of Netflix

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.