Taojing Chen

Taojing Chen dipped their toes into the wild waters of sci-fi with “Escape from the 21st Century” (2024), a movie that’s basically a fever dream for anyone who’s ever thought, “Man, this century is a mess.” The plot? Buckle up. The film drops you into a future that’s both terrifyingly familiar and just a hair’s breadth from total chaos. We’re talking crumbling cities, tech run amok, and people glued to screens like their lives depend on it—wait, that sounds a little too real, huh? Chen’s story zeroes in on a ragtag crew who’ve had it up to here with the way things are going. Instead of just complaining, they decide to do something about it. Cue a madcap adventure across dystopian landscapes, where AI threatens to control everything and nature’s basically fighting back for its own survival. The group’s mission? It’s not just about escaping physical danger—they’re desperate to break free from a society that’s lost the plot. Along the way, there’s a ton of snarky banter, questionable decisions, and moments where you’re honestly not sure if anyone’s going to make it out. Still, tucked between the action and chaos, Chen sneaks in some sharp jabs at modern life—think social media obsession, the climate mess, and the endless race for the next big thing. It’s a wild ride start to finish, with just enough hope to keep you from throwing your popcorn at the screen.