Code 8 (2019)

 

Plot

In a world where 4% of the population are born with special powers, those with special gifts are marginalized. Once seen as a boon, they are now hated and discriminated against. They are policed by automaton police drones called guardians. To get money to provide medical care for his dying mother, a young powered individual, Conner, gets mixed up with some powered criminals. 

Review

Michael, one of the creators of Carbide City, recommended this flick to me because he said it was similar to the setting. I can definitely see some parallels. There is definitely a pre-Days of Future Past X-Men vibe too. The population fear those with powers and the Guardians are stand-ins for sentinels. Despite being a powered/supers film, the film isn't super flashy. This works and gives it a grounded and gritty feel. The story is a classic crime drama, with comic book fantasy elements added. The acting is pretty good, though I'm not the biggest fan of Stephen Amell. I enjoyed his cousin Robbie's performance. 

There is some nice world building, though I'd also liked to know more. For example, there is an epidemic of a drug called Psyke. It's made from powered individuals' spinal fluid, but it's effects are really discussed. Also, there is some sort of over-arching criminal organization called the Trust, but we don't learn too much about them. 

A sequel dropped on Netflix this week and I hope it answers these questions. 

In Your Game 

While Carbide City appears to be welcoming to Evo's there is a darker side of things and the ERT (Evo Response Team) could easily be replaced by the robots like the guardians at some point. 

Guardian

Medium Construct, Unaligned

Armor Class: 18 (police gear and metal chassis)

Hit Points: 52 (8d8+16)

Speed: 30 ft.

Challenge: 3 (700 XP)

Str 14 (+2) Dex 14 (+2) Con 14 (+2) Int 7 (-2) Wis 10 (+0) Cha 3 (-4)

Saving Throws: Con +4, Wis +2

Skills: Athletics +4, Perception +2

Damage Immunities: poison, psychic

Condition Immunities: blinded, charmed, deafened, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned

Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12

Languages: English

Unique Features

Police Link: Guardians are linked directly to the police database. 

Actions

Multiattack: The Guardian makes two Unarmed or three Submachine Gun attacks.

Unarmed: Melee Weapon Attack. +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d4+2) bludgeoning damage.

Submachine Gun: Ranged Weapon Attack +4, range 160 yrd., one target. Hit: 11 (2d8+2) piercing damage.