“Lucy” is all about the theoretical and fanciful untapped potential of the human mind. Scarlett Johansson gains enhanced mental abilities as a result of her forced work as a drug mule in Taipei. The drugs seep into her system and open her mind.
The film works on the flawed but widely accepted theory that humans use only 10 percent of their minds. As a result of the drugs, Johansson starts tapping into more and more of her brain, but fears losing her humanity in the process.
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In a clip released from the film, Johansson sifts through data streams coming from cell phones while sitting in a police car with a local officer, co-star Amr Waked. When she finds what she wants, she demands he let her drive. When he resists, she pushes him into the passenger seat with her mind.
What follows is a fun and terrifying high-speed drive through Paris. Considering she admits she’s never driven before, the officer seems incredibly calm as she weaves through traffic and drives the wrong way onto a one-way street. “Hey. That’s one way,” he deadpans.
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“We’re late,” she echoes. Her deadpan appears to be a reflection of her character’s condition, but there’s no explanation for his. Terror, perhaps?
The film’s full trailer spotlights other abilities she’s gained, like putting people to sleep, altering her appearance, and pausing and rewinding the reality around her.
Written and directed by Luc Besson, who co-produced with Christopher Lambert, “Lucy” co-stars Morgan Freeman, and Choi Min-sik. Universal Pictures will release the EuropaCorp film to theaters in the United States on Friday, July 25.