“Gattaca” is a dystopic fiction movie set in the “not too distant future”, drawing from the

current scientific and technological achievements in order to portray an imagined future

world. Its central idea revolves around genetic engineering, more specifically, the

society in “Gattaca” is founded on the science behind eugenics, and it is divided

between the so-called “valids”, genetically engineered humans who have had their

flaws removed from the very fabric that constitutes them, such that any flaws including

diseases, short lifespans or any other defective system of the organism, and, on the

other hand, there are the inferior “invalids” who have had no outer influence over their

genes. The film also focuses on the idea of discrimination that follows from this.

The central point of the movie is also the narrator, Vincent Freeman, one of the last

“invalids” who were naturally conceived in this world. His aspirations are to become an

astronomer and to work for the Gattaca institute, however, these “invalids” are denied

from obtaining any high ranking positions and they are restricted to the most menial of

work. Therefore, Vincent is limited to working as a cleaner for this institute, while

constantly dreaming of visiting space. He gets a chance to fulfil his dream when he
finds out about Jerome Eugene Morrow, a “valid” who had attempted suicide after

coming in second at the swimming world championship and who was left bound to a

wheelchair. In result, Jerome who had previously worked at Gattaca became exiled

from society, and this offers Vincent the chance to switch places with Jerome, using

Jerome's genetic materials such as blood and urine samples in order to pretend to be

him. Moreover, this “validity” that Vincent begins to cloak is enough to keep him

performing at Gattaca. He was asked for nothing more than an urine simple in order to

prove his genetic superiority, which provides a bitter irony: the one destined for failure

actually becomes triumphant, while the genetically superior is destined for misery.

Superficially, the universe within “Gattaca” appears to be portrayed as utopian; using

scientific advances the society is able to prevail disease and illness. The genetically

engineered appear to be perfect, illustrating this through various positive connotations

throughout the motion picture. However, at its inner core, “Gattaca” presents a largely

dystopian society – Jerome's bitter end illustrates that life for the “valids” is not even

near perfection, while the “invalids” are relegated according to the belief that no one
exceeds their potential. Therefore, this only creates a misleading to the belief that it is

futile to attempt any sort of overcoming life beyond the restrictions of one's genetic

code.

Being obsessed with the removal of human flaws, the society from “Gattaca” aims for

nothing else than human perfection. In order to support that, this society turns to

eugenics, altering an individual's genetic make up in order to eradicate disease and to

enhance strength, intelligence or beauty. However, in spite of this attempt to remove

imperfections, even the “valids” are portrayed as having their flaws. This is mostly

evident when watching Jerome's misery, apathy or bitterness regarding his fate.

Moreover, the whole society is flawed as it is centred around judgemental beliefs or

opression. In conclusion, the fact that the whole of mankind has their flaws and faults,

and the fact that there is no way to change this, is a core message of the movie.