Whether you’re aware of them or not, several factors play into the decision to have children: socioeconomic status, cultural pressure, family tradition, or even something as simple as wanting to be a father or mother all play a significant role in bringing life into the world. But, as a growing percentage of adults find themselves withdrawing from having children in the near future, concerns over thepotential societal ramificationsare now getting airplay across a variety of news outlets. As with all trends, there will come a point where a specific question is asked: should we make a movie out of it?
Hulu has delivered on such a movie. Theirupcoming streaming exclusive,Clock, will examine how one woman reacts to a clinical trial that tries to “fix” her lack of interest in having children. Of course, being an experimental procedure, there may be some unintended side effects. It’ll be a particularly interesting thriller not just because of its scares but how it comments on an underrepresented part of society that is currently swelling with new members. As of now, this is everything we know about Hulu’sClock.
Clock: The Plot
The official plot synopsis forClockprovided by Hulu is as follows:
“Directed and written by Alexis Jacknow (“Again,” upcoming “The Villager”), “Clock” is the story of a woman who enrolls in a clinical trial to try and fix her seemingly broken biological clock after friends, family, and society pressures her to have children. Dianna Agron (“Shiva Baby”, forthcoming “Acidman” and “El Elegido”) leads as Ella, with Jay Ali (“Carnival Row,” “Daredevil”) as her husband and Saul Rubinek (“Unforgiven,” “Frasier”) as her father. Melora Hardin (“The Office,” “The Bold Type”) features as the pioneering doctor managing Ella’s treatment.”
While we get some traditional scares in the film’s trailer, including a pale screaming figure at a traffic stop, the real tension will undoubtedly come from pressure in every direction to have a family. Whether our protagonist’s growing paranoia and altered perception are a direct result of the trial – which included a particularly unpleasant implant – or the constant disapproval towards a lifestyle that makes her happy remains to be seen. Either way, we’ll see how the perception of ourselves can be significantly altered through pressure to conform to others' sensibilities. This is even showcased in how our protagonist’s romantic relationship becomes strained. Despite her partner’s insistence on being fine with or without kids, she can’t help but not believe him.
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Seth Rogen has repeatedly spokenabout the benefits of not having children, no doubt introducing the stigmatized topic to a wider audience. Regardless of how you feel about his sentiment, it’s no doubt an interesting topic to explore under the guise of a thriller film. To outright deny that there’s immense pressure to reproduce is ignorant at best and manipulative at worst. Even Hardin’s character gives her take on it during a discussion with our protagonist, citing that the end goal for all life is to eventually reproduce. We’ll just have to wait and see whereClockgoes with this idea and what conclusion it’ll ultimately draw.
Clock: The Cast
The main cast ofClockis fairly limited, comprising only four main characters. Our leading lady will be played by Dianna Agron, whose filmography includes a plethora of noteworthy titles. Aside from starring in prominent roles in bothGleeandHeroeson television, Agron also appeared in the filmsBurlesque,I Am Number Four, andNovitiate, in addition to lending her voice to Disney’sWreck-It-Ralph: Ralph Breaks the Internet. To say thather history in both film and televisionis extensive would be an understatement. Let’s hope that experience translates to a compelling performance inClock.
The doctor administering the clinical trial will be played by Melora Hardin, who remains synonymous withThe Office’sJan Levinson. Despite astrong association with comedic roles, she’s played plenty of dramatic parts as well, appearing in productions likeThe Rocketeer,Clint Eastwood’sAbsolute Power,Thank You For Smoking, and even her directorial debut, 2009’sYou. She gives off an intriguing personality inClock’strailer, meaning she’ll likely steal the show whenever she’s on-screen.
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Playing the role of our protagonist’s father is Saul Rebinek, who also played Murray Markowitz in the Prime Video seriesHunters. Her husband will be played by Jay Ali. Additional cast members include the likes of: Grace Porter (Godfather of Harlem), Isabelle Du (Nu Ve Si), and Kat Steffens (Parkland).
Release Date
Clockwill be streaming exclusively on Hulu starting on Apr. 28.
Clock: Everything Else
Clockwaswritten and directedby Alexis Jacknow, who will make a cameo appearance in the film as a patient. Her previous works as director include a pair of shorts,The One Who Brung YouandAgain, in addition to directing episodes ofLove DailyandCostume Change. As an actor, she appeared in a variety of short films from 2011 to 2015 and made brief appearances in bothAmerican Horror StoryandTruth or Dare.
