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Despite all of its faults, Zero is at least a film with an interesting question at its heart: how should we respond when our life's course is crudely interrupted by some force outside our control? The urge in this film is toward existential angst—a refusal to cede control of one's life trajectory for the sake of something like civic duty or nationalism. But a film like this can also inspire interesting thoughts about personal autonomy and choice. And, for a Christian, it evokes some elements of God's sovereignty in our lives. We may not want to be conscripted into an army to fight a dangerous war, but perhaps we should remember 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: "You are not your own, you were bought at a price."

The three buddies try to figure out the meaning of it all

The fear and dread that is overplayed in Zero can, however, be framed more positively, and has been in several recent films. I'm thinking of something like Sophie Scholl, the German film about a vibrant young college student who gives up a promising future to fight for what can only be a fatal cause. Other films like The New World or even Atonement portray young people meeting misfortune and unjust life-alterations with bravery and humility. I also think of 25th Hour, another "last moments of freedom" type film that finds its protagonist (Edward Norton) facing imminent loss of a self-directed existence with despair and angst but, ultimately, a resolution to peace.

Day Zero is a film that portrays the event of being drafted as a worst-case scenario. For the three main characters in the film, day zero more or less means death. It's a film that revels in defeatism and hyperbolized dystopia (similar to something like 2006's Death of a President)—a would-be political statement that is more insipid than insightful.

Talk About It

1. What would you do if you faced wartime military duty and had 30 days left of freedom?
2. Which of the three main characters faced the reality of being drafted the most responsibly?
3. On a psychological level, why do you think the idea of a draft is so scary to contemporary audiences?

The Family Corner

Day Zero is rated R for language, sexual content, some violence and drug use. It is definitely not a film for families. In addition to a rather uneasy subject matter (young men getting drafted to go to war), the film contains quite a bit of profanity, drug use, and some violence. There are also scenes in a gay bar and with female prostitutes, though without nudity.

Photos © Copyright First Look International

© Brett McCracken subject to licensing agreement with Christianity Today International. All rights reserved. Click for reprint information.

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