In the mid-20th century, the fear of nuclear war permeated society, and the video game ‘Fallout’ takes this premise to its extreme conclusion. The Amazon TV adaptation of ‘Fallout’ transports viewers to a post-nuclear wasteland, where some survivors have taken refuge in elaborate underground vaults, recreating their idyllic 1950s lifestyle. Those less fortunate have been forced to endure the harsh realities of life on the surface, where they encounter mutated ghouls and other deadly threats.
The series unfolds through two intertwining timelines. In the 1950s, Los Angeles is a vibrant metropolis, while in the future, the city’s remnants are a desolate landscape. Inside Vault 33, the community’s tranquility is shattered when surface dwellers kidnap their leader (Kyle MacLachlan). This event sets the story in motion, as Lucy (Ella Purnell), the man’s daughter, ventures outside for the first time to rescue him.
Lucy’s journey on the surface is an eye-opening experience, exposing her to the horrors and injustices of a world ravaged by corporate greed. She encounters the Brotherhood of Steel, a brutal militia that exploits the chaos for its own gain. One of the Brotherhood’s squires, Maximus (Aaron Moten), is as out of his element as Lucy, and their paths cross as they navigate this unforgiving wasteland.
Walton Goggins delivers a standout performance as Cooper Howard, a former Hollywood star who has transformed into a hardened survivor in the future. His character provides a complex and compelling throughline throughout the series. The show’s production design meticulously recreates the aesthetics of the 1950s and the post-apocalyptic wasteland, with distinctive looks for each time and place.
While the storytelling can be uneven at times, ‘Fallout’ ultimately succeeds in presenting a thought-provoking examination of the potential consequences of unchecked corporate power. The series raises questions about the nature of heroism, morality, and the human capacity for resilience in the face of adversity.
