Mute (2018 film)

Mute is a 2018 science fiction neo-noir film directed by Duncan Jones, who also co-wrote the script with Michael Robert Johnson. The film stars Alexander Skarsgård, Paul Rudd, Justin Theroux, and Seyneb Saleh.

The film is set in 2052 Berlin and follows Leo Beiler (Skarsgård), a mute bartender searching for his missing girlfriend, Naadirah (Saleh). His investigation leads him through the city's underbelly and into contact with two American surgeons, Cactus Bill (Rudd) and Duck Teddington (Theroux), who are involved in their own nefarious activities.

Mute is considered a spiritual successor to Jones's earlier film, Moon (2009), sharing a similar science fiction setting and thematic exploration of identity and isolation. Duncan Jones had been developing the concept for Mute for several years before its release.

The film was released on Netflix on February 23, 2018. Critical reception to Mute was mixed, with some praising the film's visual style and performances, particularly Skarsgård's, while others criticized its pacing, convoluted plot, and perceived tonal inconsistencies. The film received some controversy for its depiction of violence and its handling of certain sensitive themes.