Lil Rel Howery is back on screen in Hulu’s latest offering, “The Mill.” This intriguing sci-fi thriller centers on a man who wakes up in a mysterious open-air prison and must run a mill every day to avoid punishment and see his pregnant wife again.
“The Mill” also stars Karen Obilom, Pat Healy, and Patrick Fischler. Jeffrey David Thomas penned the screenplay, with Sean King O’Grady directing. The film is scheduled to premiere on Hulu on October 9, 2023, and is set in a hyper-capitalist future America and touches on themes of labor, artificial intelligence, and modern-day slavery.
Howery portrays Joe, a rising star at Mallard, a mega-corporation even more influential than Amazon and Apple combined. However, Joe’s life takes a harrowing turn when he wakes up in an open-air prison cell, devoid of any memory of his arrival. Strangely, this prison cell centers around an archaic grist mill. Surrounded by mysterious screams in the dark and whispers from unseen inmates, Joe comes to a chilling realization: Mallard operates this prison, and he is part of some sinister “Advanced Career Training” program. Accused of underperforming, Joe must operate the grist mill daily to meet a quota or face dire consequences.
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Director Sean King O’Grady explains the film’s relevance in today’s discourse about labor and AI, stating that the movie unexpectedly became relevant. It goes beyond the specifics of AI and labor, touching on universal themes of feeling trapped in a system that takes more than it gives, where individuals feel like replaceable cogs in a lifeless machine. O’Grady praises Howery’s portrayal of Joe, noting the actor’s raw vulnerability and dedication in bringing the character to life.
As the anticipation builds for “The Mill,” Hulu invites audiences to immerse themselves in this suspenseful tale of a world where power and control take on disturbing new forms. Don’t miss the official trailer for “The Mill,” below.
So, mark your calendars for October 9th when “The Mill” debuts on Hulu.
“We’re happy to get the kind of money that jingles, but we’d rather get the kind that folds.” – Lisa, Coming to America
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