Project Power is a gritty, street-level superhero movie that asks a dangerous question: What if anyone could get superpowers for five minutes? Released by Netflix in 2020, the film blends action, sci-fi, and social commentary into a fast-paced New Orleans–set thriller.
Detailed Summary
The Power Pill Hits the Streets
The story begins in New Orleans, where a mysterious drug called Power floods the streets. The pill grants five minutes of unpredictable superpowers, but no one knows what ability they’ll get. Some become bulletproof, others burst into flames, and some die instantly. This randomness turns the city into a chaotic experiment.
Enter Art: The Man Who Can Burn
Art (Jamie Foxx) is a former soldier who gains thermal-based powers, allowing his body to emit extreme heat. Unlike others, he knows exactly what power he gets. Art is hunting the source of Power, using brutal efficiency and intimidation to climb the criminal ladder.
Robin: A Teen Dealer With a Moral Code
Robin (Dominique Fishback) is a high-school student who sells Power to support her family. She’s smart, sarcastic, and deeply conflicted about her role. Her character grounds the film emotionally and represents the younger generation trapped by systemic inequality.
Frank Shaver: The Cop Who Takes the Pill
Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays Frank, a police officer frustrated by crime and bureaucracy. Initially moral, Frank begins using Power pills himself to fight criminals, crossing ethical lines and showing how easily good intentions can slide into corruption.
The Government Connection Revealed
Midway through the film, it’s revealed that Power is not just a street drug but a military experiment. The pills are derived from animal DNA, granting users abilities based on evolutionary traits. The experiment is backed by a private defense contractor with government ties.
Art’s True Motivation
Art isn’t just hunting dealers. His daughter Tracy has been kidnapped and used as a test subject, her DNA exploited to perfect Power without lethal side effects. This revelation reframes Art from antihero to desperate father.
Movie Ending
In the final act, Art, Robin, and Frank converge on a fortified ship owned by the corporation behind Power. Tracy is revealed to be the key to stabilizing the drug, as her body naturally regulates the effects. The corporation plans to weaponize Power for military use.
A large-scale battle breaks out involving enhanced soldiers. Frank, who has been abusing Power pills, finally faces the consequences as his body begins to fail. In a redemptive moment, he helps Art rescue Tracy, accepting that he cannot keep using shortcuts to justice.
Art takes a massive dose of Power to survive the final confrontation, knowingly risking death. He succeeds, but only because Tracy injects him with a stabilized version of Power, saving his life. The ship is destroyed, and evidence of the experiment is exposed.
The film ends with:
- Tracy reunited with Art
- Frank choosing rehab and accountability
- Robin refusing Power and returning to school
However, the final scene strongly implies that Power is still out there, and the system that created it hasn’t truly fallen. Justice is partial, not absolute.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No. There are no mid-credits or post-credits scenes in Project Power. The story ends definitively, though it leaves room for potential sequels through implication rather than explicit setup.
Type of Movie
Project Power is a dark sci-fi action thriller with strong elements of superhero deconstruction and social commentary, focusing on power as both a literal and societal force.
Cast
- Jamie Foxx – Art
- Joseph Gordon-Levitt – Frank Shaver
- Dominique Fishback – Robin Reilly
- Rodrigo Santoro – Biggie
- Courtney B. Vance – Captain Craine
- Amy Landecker – Gardner
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Joseph Trapanese, blending electronic beats with hip-hop influences. The music reinforces the film’s urban tone and escalating tension without overwhelming the narrative.
Filming Locations and Their Importance
The movie was filmed almost entirely in New Orleans, Louisiana.
- The city’s distinct neighborhoods emphasize inequality and social contrast.
- Real streets and housing projects ground the superpowers in realism.
- New Orleans becomes more than a backdrop; it represents a city used as a testing ground.
Awards and Nominations
Project Power did not receive major awards but was:
- Widely praised for Dominique Fishback’s performance
- Recognized for its fresh take on superhero storytelling in streaming-era cinema
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Jamie Foxx was also a producer and helped shape Art’s emotional arc.
- The filmmakers consulted biologists to design powers based on real animals.
- Dominique Fishback wrote a full backstory journal for Robin to deepen authenticity.
- Many stunts were done practically, with VFX used mainly to enhance realism.
Inspirations and References
- Limitless (2011) – temporary enhancement concept
- Chronicle (2012) – grounded superpowers
- Street-level comics like Luke Cage and Watchmen
- Real-world discussions about military experimentation and drug epidemics
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
- An alternate ending showed Robin briefly considering Power, but it was cut to preserve her moral stance.
- Several scenes exploring Frank’s family life were removed to maintain pacing.
- Early drafts had Art dying at the end, but test audiences preferred survival with consequences.
Book Adaptations and Differences
Project Power is not based on a book or comic. It is an original screenplay, though its structure feels intentionally comic-book-inspired.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The opening store robbery demonstrating the unpredictability of Power
- Art walking through gunfire while radiating heat
- Robin’s spoken-word rap scene at school
- Frank’s first time using Power and realizing its cost
Iconic Quotes
- “Everybody wants power. Nobody wants the price.”
- “Five minutes can change everything.”
- “Power doesn’t make you special. It shows who you already are.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Animal powers are hinted before activation through visual cues.
- The pill’s triangular symbol mirrors military hazard markings.
- Robin’s notebook contains lyrics foreshadowing the ending.
- Frank’s badge number subtly references classic superhero comics.
Trivia
- Over 100 different powers were designed, though only a fraction appear onscreen.
- Jamie Foxx trained in thermal physiology concepts to sell his power convincingly.
- Netflix greenlit the movie without requiring franchise setup.
- The pill color changes slightly depending on lighting, symbolizing instability.
Why Watch Project Power?
Watch Project Power if you want:
- A realistic, street-level take on superpowers
- Strong performances, especially from Dominique Fishback
- Action that serves character and theme
- A story that asks who deserves power, and why
Director’s Other Works (With Years)
- Catfish (2010)
- Paranormal Activity 3 (2011)
- Paranormal Activity 4 (2012)
- Nerve (2016)
