THX 1138 (Director’s Cut)

The Future is here.

Work hard, increase production, prevent accidents, and be happy.”

George Lucas‘ directorial debut THX 1138 presents a cold, minimalist dystopian future in which individual thought and love are forbidden… But two citizens dare to rebel against their society’s rigid laws of conformity.

Set in an Orwellian 25th century where people are nameless, mankind lives in vast underground cities and free will is outlawed by means of mandatory medication that controls human emotion, a disenchanted surveillance worker, consciously stops taking her mandatory drugs — medication that suppresses emotions — and gives placebos to her roommate. Once they stop taking their meds, they wake up to the bleak reality of their own existence and fall in love with each other in the process. Naturally in this sci-fi drama, love is also illegal, and the act of making love itself has made both of them outlaws on the run from an army of robotic police for breaking laws of conformity. Starring Robert Duvall, Maggie McOmie, and Donald Pleasance.

“The empty space surrounding the vulnerable man emphasizes the exertion involved rather than the goal of escape: like the hologram who came to life because he wanted to, THX finally achieves his humanity by an assertion of will.” (Village Voice)

“With political paternalism rampant at both extremes of the spectrum, Lucas is onto something. In any case, we’ll know for sure in about a generation.” (Variety)

“The whole thing feels like a hypnotic dreamscape, so luminously stark, from its white-on-white abstract sets to the wide-eyed, bald, near catatonic residents of this world.” (Washington Post)

Friday, May 2
Doors 10:30 pm | Movie 11:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Tickets HERE

Late Night Date Night! Bring a friend, date, or non-conforming lover from the future and get two-for-one entry HERE!


THX 1138 (George Lucas, 1971 / 86 minutes / 14A) In the 25th century, a time when people have designations instead of names, a man, THX 1138, and a woman, LUH 3417, rebel against their rigidly controlled society.


*Minors OK. Must be 19+ w/ID for bar service.
*Rio Theatre Groupons and passes OK for any single film only. Please redeem at the door.
*We recommend purchasing your tickets in advance at www.riotheatretickets.ca. If a screening or live event is not sold out, the remaining tickets will be available for in-person purchase at the Rio Theatre’s Box Office prior to showtime (subject to availability).
*Our box office is typically open 30 minutes before showtime. All seating is General Admission; please arrive 20-30 minutes prior to showtime to ensure great seats, and time for treats at concession.
*If you are looking to redeem either a Rio Theatre gift certificate or Groupon to any regular Rio Theatre screening: You can either email us in advance <[email protected]> and give us a “heads up,” or do it at the box office prior to showtime.

*All Rio Theatre tickets are final sale. No refunds or exchanges.

Fri May 2 11:00 pm

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People in the future live in a totalitarian society. A technician named THX 1138 lives a mundane life between work and taking a controlled consumption of drugs that the government uses to make puppets out of people. As THX is without drugs for the first time he has feelings for a woman and they start a secret relationship.

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About The Rio

Voted the #1 Independent Theatre in Vancouver, the Rio Theatre is a multimedia venue featuring arthouse, mainstream and cult-classic cinemas as well as live entertainment. Built in 1938, the Rio has been fully restored with a state of the art digital projector, surround sound, a huge stage and 420 luxurious seats.

1660 East Broadway, Vancouver, BC

Phone: 604.879.3456

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