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Children of Men

Children of Men is a 2006 dystopian science fiction thriller film directed and co-written by Alfonso Cuarón.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 11, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Children of Men is a 2006 dystopian science fiction thriller film directed and co-written by Alfonso Cuarón. Adapted from P. D. James’s 1992 novel The Children of Men, it is set in a future where human infertility has pushed society toward collapse and follows Theo Faron as he helps protect a pregnant refugee.

Plot

The film follows Theo Faron as he is drawn into a mission to escort Kee, a miraculously pregnant refugee, through a violent and collapsing society. Their journey becomes a test of whether humanity can still be saved.

Production and adaptation

Children of Men was directed and co-written by Alfonso Cuarón and adapted from P. D. James’s novel The Children of Men. The film’s screenplay credits multiple writers, with Clive Owen also making uncredited contributions according to some sources.

Themes

The film presents a near-future dystopia shaped by infertility, social breakdown, refugee crisis, and state violence. Commentaries and reviews describe it as politically and culturally symbolic, with religious and social themes.

Release and reception

The film was released in 2006 and has been described by major film databases and reviewers as a science fiction or thriller title. It is widely noted for its intense violence and bleak depiction of collapse.

Key facts

  • The film is set in 2027, after roughly two decades of human infertility have left civilization unstable.
  • Clive Owen plays Theo Faron, a former activist and civil servant who becomes involved in protecting a pregnant woman named Kee.
  • The story takes place largely in the United Kingdom, which is depicted as heavily militarized and hostile to asylum seekers.
  • The screenplay was based on P. D. James’s novel and credited to five writers, including Alfonso Cuarón.
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Canadian context

The film is relevant to Canadian readers as an internationally acclaimed English-language dystopian thriller that is frequently studied for its themes of migration, state power, and social collapse.

Frequently asked questions

What is Children of Men about?
It is about a future society collapsing after decades of human infertility, and a man who helps protect a pregnant woman.
Who directed Children of Men?
It was directed by Alfonso Cuarón.
What is Children of Men based on?
It is based on P. D. James’s 1992 novel The Children of Men.
When is the film set?
The story is set in 2027 in the United Kingdom.
Who plays the main character Theo Faron?
Clive Owen plays Theo Faron.
What genre is Children of Men?
It is commonly described as a dystopian science fiction thriller.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children_of_Men
    Supports: Director, release year, plot, setting, cast, and screenplay/adaptation details
  2. IMDbhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0206634/
    Supports: Plot summary, setting, genre, and release information
  3. Apple TVhttps://tv.apple.com/us/movie/children-of-men/umc.cmc.29nj4u6tuaexxtdi0ofkv58rp
    Supports: Release year, runtime, director, and plot synopsis
  4. Common Sense Mediahttps://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/children-of-men
    Supports: Plot summary, rating, release timing, and violence content
  5. Netflixhttps://www.netflix.com/title/70044903
    Supports: Synopsis, cast list, and genre categories
  6. Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/children_of_men
    Supports: Synopsis, rating, and genre classification
  7. British Film Institutehttps://www.bfi.org.uk/features/children-men-alfonso-cuaron
    Supports: Critical description and thematic interpretation
  8. Simple English Wikipediahttps://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children_of_Men
    Supports: Film identification, director, source novel, and Academy Awards note