Code 8

Code 8 builds a grounded, street-level sci-fi world where people with special abilities aren't superheroes - they're marginalized workers struggling to survive. The film doesn't chase big spectacle. Instead, it focuses on the human cost of a society that fears its own gifted citizens, and that smaller scale makes the story surprisingly resonant.

Robbie Amell gives the film its emotional center, playing a young man pushed into crime not because he wants to break the law, but because every other door keeps closing on him. Stephen Amell complements him well, adding weight to the crew's criminal dynamic. Their chemistry feels authentic, and it keeps the story anchored even when the plot leans into familiar tropes.

Visually, the movie is impressive for its budget. The effects are clean, the drones and tech feel tangible, and the world-building is consistent enough that you can imagine living in this uneasy city. At times, the narrative feels predictable, and a few emotional beats could have gone deeper, but the film's sincerity makes up for it.

Code 8 isn't a massive blockbuster - it's a smaller, rougher, more personal look at power, poverty, and survival. And within that frame, it works very well.

This is another tiresome portrayal of a superhero in a place where superheroes aren't trusted. The events are simply a lead-in to a movie. With all the similar stuff out there, once again a techno-society has created law enforcement methods using robotics. Boring.

Honestly, thought this was better executed than the feature film.

The concept is great and the world-building is really good. Intelligent sci-fi short film.

This short is apparently part of a fund raising effort to make a bigger project, although as 'proof of concept' films go, this one at least delivers within its time. Instead of playing like a trailer, this plays out like a contained episode in a bigger story, so while it does offer more, it is also a good standalone snapshot of this world. Taking the world of Heroes and making them an oppressed minority, we see the exploitation of powers rather than the dominance – which is already a nice twist on the norm. From here it plays out into a dramatic scene which ends open, but is still satisfying.

The use of effects is in support of the world, and is nicely integrated into the actual film – rather than being the film, as is often the case with this type of thing. The performances are good throughout; I confess I have no clue who Amell is, or the family name, but he is a good lead here. Also Kang (better known and Fast and Furious' Han) was a surprise find.

Overall a solidly enjoyable sci-fi which creates an engaging world and plays out a satisfying scenario. Still a 'proof of concept' perhaps, but a good one.