Netflix’s 'A World Without', a promising dystopian coming-of-age film that fails to land

Nia Dinata’s A World Without tries to incorporate social criticism in a dystopian coming-of-age story – sadly, it comes up short. A World Without opens with three best friends riding a bus on their way to join an exclusive community called The Light. Ten years from now – after the pandemic is over – falling birthrates force the country to outlaw dating and prompt debates over marriageable age. Led by an enigmatic man named Ali Khan (Chicco Jerikho) and his wife, Sofia (Ayushita), The Light offers a shelter for teenagers who wish to marry once they turn 17.

After being selected, these teenagers are put in dormitory rooms to learn skills – such as domestic arts for the girls. Ali apparently has come up with a system that uses algorithms to determine relationship compatibility. Every now and then, two members of The Light are “paired” and