Netflix’s unique supernatural drama, The Umbrella Academy, leaves us a lot to contemplate about. But one thing I kept wondering while watching the entire series is why there are no cell phones in the universe, despite a modern setting.
Though the story is set in a modern world with a steam-punk aesthetic, there’s a visible lack of the use of technology in the series. Even basic gadgets, such as mobile phones, are missing in the series. The only visible speck of technology here is robot Mom and the genetically modified simian Pogo.
If you ask me, there may be a few calculated reasons why the makers did not introduce mobile phones in the series.
The most probable reason for the absence of cell phones in The Umbrella Academy is that it would not blend in with the neo-gothic visual aesthetic of the show. Any sort of ultramodern technology such as cell phones would undermine the show’s unique style.
In fact, showrunner Steven Blackman said the no-cell-phone policy in the series was designed to give the show a Children-of-Men-like feel, which means knowable yet different. In an interview with SlashFilm, he said,
“Truth is, we want it to feel like Children of Men a little bit. I don’t mean the bleakness of Children of Men, but to respect the world. So the viewers are watching, they may or may not notice that I’ve eliminated certain pieces of technology. It’s supposed to be now, contemporary, but certain things are slightly different. So I suppose you could say we’re in a little bit of an alternate universe but I want it to feel very, very subtle. I’m not sure you picked up on it but there are no cell phones. No one uses a cell phone ever. It’s odd things like that.”
However, style and aesthetics is not the only reason for the lack of cell phones in the series. First of all, the absence of such a critical gadget for communication plays a huge role in the show’s interweaving narratives. It makes communication between the Hargreeves siblings difficult during critical points in the plot.
It forces the characters to get hold of a landline or wait for the chance to communicate in person, which in itself adds to the stylized feel of the show. Perhaps, many of the twists in the show could have turned out differently if the characters were not so detached and isolated. For example, in Season 1 itself, a simple text or call would have helped save humanity!
The Umbrella Academy is an example of how intriguing and exciting life would have been without devices for instant communication. The use of cell phones makes things much easier than they would have been, so the makers probably took a calculated decision of not including them.
Also, it leaves space for us to contemplate whether the series is set in a different timeline altogether or an altered reality where cell phones were never invented. It just leaves a lot to our imagination. As long as it enhances the experience of consuming a mode of entertainment, we’re not complaining!
About The Umbrella Academy
The Umbrella Academy is an American superhero series based on the comic book series of the same name written by Gerard Way. The series was created for Netflix by Steve Blackman and developed by Jeremy Slater.
The series revolves around seven children gifted with superpowers., who billionaire Sir Reginald Hargreeves turns into a team called The Umbrella Academy. The superhero siblings reunite to solve the mystery of their father’s death and the threat of an imminent apocalypse.
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