HBO is adapting Ray Bradbury’s classic novel Fahrenheit 451 into a film, and the newest trailer gives an intense look at the film’s universe.
Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 is a compelling novel that tells the story of a world in the near future where books have become illegal. Fireman are responsible for setting books ablaze rather than trying to put out fires, and questioning the government systems in place is utterly illegal.
Related: HBO unveils the first trailer for Fahrenheit 451 starring Michael B. Jordan
In this political climate of fake news versus seeking out truth for oneself, it’s not surprising that HBO jumped at the chance to adapt Bradbury’s book into a feature-length film. HBO released a teaser trailer a few months ago, but they’ve finally given us a full-length peek into their adaptation of the book and it looks like it’s going to be incredibly intense.
The movie stars Michael B. Jordan as Guy Montag, a fireman who begins to question the status quo of destroying books and suppressing knowledge. When he meets a young woman named Raven, he begins to rebel against society and his role as a fireman.
What makes this new trailer great is that we not only get to see a bit more of Guy and his boss, Beatty (Michael Shannon), but we also get to see a bit more of the social aspects of the Fahrenheit 451 universe and why Guy’s questioning can be so dangerous for him.
The trailer shows us a world that not only outlaws books, but human activity is closely monitored and human behavior is carefully guarded with pharmaceuticals. It is a universe where this suppression isn’t presented as oppression, rather a means to keep humanity safe.
As Guy begins to question the status quo, he’s not only putting himself at odds with the government but facing things he had grown up believing to be actively dangerous. Ultimately, he must decide if his search for truth is worth the risk.
It’s an incredibly timely story, and with such a talented cast, this movie is sure to be amazing. Luckily, we won’t have to wait too long to see this one. Fahrenheit 451 premieres on HBO on May 19, so get your DVRs ready!