Scarlett Johansson’s $463 million hit sci-fi movie,Lucy, was entirely built on a popular science misconception. Released in 2014,Lucyis a sci-fi action movie directed by Luc Besson which follows the life of Lucy (Scarlett Johansson), a woman who gains psychokinetic abilities after taking a psychedelic drug that unlocks the full potential of the human brain.Lucywas a box office success, although some criticized itsscientific inaccuracy. Garnering a 67% score on Rotten Tomatoes,Lucyreceived positive reviews for its deep themes and brilliant visuals, as well asScarlett Johansson’s performance in the sci-fi movie.
Lucy’sendingtransformed the character beyond space and time, proving its philosophical hypothesis on the human brain’s potential. While there were hopes for aLucysequel, a spinoff series was reportedly in development in 2022 with Morgan Freeman in talks to star. However, there has been no news on theLucyspinoff ever since. Regardless,Lucyworks as a standalone movie and its box office demonstrates how successful the film was. Although many othersci-fi movies lack scientific accuracy,Lucy’sreception suffered when the science behind the movie’s premise was completely disprovedshortly after its release.
Lucy’s Premise Is Based On The Myth That Humans Only Use 10% Of Their Brains
Science Disproved This Theory After Lucy’s Release
Lucy’spremise was based on the popular myth that humans only use 10% of their brains. When Lucy accidentally ingests a synthetic drug called CPH4 after being forced to become a drug mule, she gains enhanced physical and mental abilities. As a result of the belief in restricted brain usage,Lucyshows what might happen if the brain was to be fully utilized, as the drug unlocks Lucy’s brain and gives her abilitiessuch as telepathy and telekinesis. However, the science behindLucyis inaccurate, as explained by scientific articles inJournal Natureshortly after the film’s theatrical release.
Lucyactually grossed over eleven times its budget of $40 million, earning $463 million worldwide at the box office.
While the notion that humans do not fully utilize or understand their cognitive potential is somewhat true, the specific percentage claim may have originated from a forward by Lowell Thomas inHow to Win Friends and Influence Peoplein 1936.The theory has since been debunked with various methods, such as imaging scans, damagingLucy’s core premiseas a result. AthoughLucyis not one ofScarlett Johansson’s best movies, and its science has been disproven, it is still an entertaining film, and it was good enough to earn an impressive box office result.
Lucy Is Still An Interesting Sci-Fi Movie (If You Ignore Its Flawed Premise)
Lucy Earned A Strong Tomatometer Despite Its Audience Score
A large majority of sci-fi movies are based on entirely fictional concepts. If you ignoreLucy’sflawed premise, the movie is still an interesting watch, andScarlett Johansson delivers a brilliant performance.Lucyranked in Netflix’s Global Top 10 in 2024with high viewership numbers, demonstrating that Luc Besson’s film still holds up a decade after its release.Lucyranked eighth on Netflix’s chart for the week of August 19-25 with an impressive 4.4 million views, beating movies such asNight SchoolandKingsman: The Golden Circle.
EnjoyingLucyisn’t dependent on the film’s strict adherence to science.
Critics praisedLucy’senergetic tone and over-the-top excitement, earning it a strong 67% Tomatometer on Rotten Tomatoes. Interestingly, the movie was let down by its audiences asLucy’sPopcornmeter sits at a disappointing 47%, showing a discontent for its illogical and mind-bending plot. With such divisive reviews, it looks ever more unlikely that the moviewill get a sequel or spinoff series, especially as director Luc Besson has no intention of making one andLucy 2would need Scarlett Johansson to return. However, enjoyingLucyisn’t dependent on the film’s strict adherence to science.
Lucy
Cast
Scarlet Johansson stars as the title character in Luc Besson’s 2014 sci-fi thriller Lucy, where a young woman who’s forced to work as a drug mule accidentally develops superhuman abilities after an experimental drug leaks into her system. She is pursued by drug lord Mr. Jang (Choi Min-sik) and helped by both Professor Samuel Norman (Morgan Freeman) and police captain Pierre Del Rio (Amr Waked) while she unlocks skills far beyond 10% of the human brain’s capacity.
