1899
The Matrix on the high seas
One of the challenges in the critic’s mission is to be able to frame a film or series in a particular genre. The truth is that the more complex the production, the more elements it accumulates from different genres. This is the case of “1899” (GER/USA, 2022), a Netflix production created by Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese, the same authors of the renowned series “Dark” (GER/USA, 2017-2020).
The year is 1899. The Kerberos, an imposing transatlantic steamship, heads to the United States from England. Passengers, from different backgrounds and social classes, travel each with their hopes and dreams for the new century and its future in the New World. But their journey takes an unexpected turn when they discover another ship drifting in the open sea.
On the second day of a week-long trip, the Kerberos telegrapher receives a message that continually conveys a geographical position not far from where they are. The ship’s skipper, Eyk Larsen (Andreas Pietschmann), suspects that the message comes from the Prometheus, a vessel from the same company that had disappeared four months earlier. Even with the contrary opinion of virtually everyone on board, he decides to modify the course to investigate the call.
Upon arriving at the indicated location, they effectively find the missing ship. However, the same is deserted, unless for a boy and a man who sneaks into Kerberos. The boy is kept under the care of Maura Franklin (Emily Beecham), a young doctor involved in the study of the human brain. Maura has many reasons to be there: the two ships belong to her father’s company, and she thinks her brother disappeared because he had discovered what modifications had been made to them.
From there the events precipitate. Larsen decides to tow the Prometheus back to England, which provokes the revolt of all on board, triggering a riot led by sailor Franz (Isaak Dentler). The captain is arrested while most of the crew joins Swedish immigrants led by religious fanatic Iben (Maria Erwolter).
This whole environment is practically a tower of Babel, because the crew are German, and the passengers are English, French, Spanish and even Chinese. Few speak more than one language and still manage to maintain some communication when interests are common.
The series consists of eight episodes where each is focused on one of the characters, which has some dark history in the past, that is reflected in the present moment. Maura herself seems to have undergone some kind of mental treatment. The French couple Lucien (Jonas Bloquet) and Clémence (Mathilde Ollivier), despite being on honeymoon, cannot understand each other. Lucien has an obscure past linked to the clandestine Jérome (Yann Gael) in the Foreign Legion.
Father Ramiro (José Pimentão) and his brother Ángel (Miguel Bernardeau) are also using false identities to escape a murder situation. The Chinese Ling Yi (Isabella Wei) tries to impersonate Japanese with the help of her mother Yuk Je (Gabby Wong) to meet the demands of the pimp Rosalie (Virginia Wilson).
Although early events appear to be supernatural, Maura and Larsen gradually realize that something very strange is behind it all. Only when they meet the mysterious Daniel Solace (Aneurin Barnard) do they have a glimpse that nothing that is happening is real, although the very sense of what is real becomes an indecipherable unknown.
Although it does not have the complexity of “Dark”, “1899” will certainly not please all audiences, for not having a linear story and leaving many things without explanation. Without the danger of giving spoiler, the word simulation is brought without the characters having any idea what it is – after all, the year is 1899. However, it is not difficult to make a parallel with “The Matrix”.
Although permeated by terror, supernatural, religious fanaticism, drama, etc., the denouement is even in the science fiction genre, since everything is explained by the use of simulation. Interestingly, it’s easier to accept impossible things with the simulation explanation than the spells of Harry Potter – and you don’t even need a wand from Mr. Ollivander’s.
This is not an easy consumption series, with denser characters and stories to be developed. Several threads of the story are inconclusive, which leads to believe that a second season will soon be launched to keep up with the fate of the surviving characters.
“1899” can be watched on Netflix streaming service.