Project Power introduces a world of drug-induced superpowers but still leaves its audience with many open questions. This new star-studded Netflix film drops in on a near future where the corporation Teleios has created a pill called “Power” that gives people an enhanced ability for five minutes. The superpowers are different for every individual, but they're the same every time a person takes the pill. Some people possess some of the standard powers, like super strength or pyrokinesis, while others endure mutations such as full body gigantism or bone-weaponry, and still others may simply explode into a bloody mass of gore.
This revolutionary drug creates a major problem for the New Orleans Police Department, as the film shows through the eyes of Detective Frank Shaver (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). At the same time, Army-veteran Art (Jamie Foxx) is on a mission to find his daughter, Tracy, who is held captive by Teleios because she naturally has her own superpower without the use of the drug. Art partners with a teenage Power dealer named Robin Reilly (Dominique Fishback) in order to find his way to Tracy and end the company's operation. Art, Robin, and Frank ultimately team up to rescue Tracy and bring Teleios down.
As with every modern superhero story, Project Power feels like it has a bigger story than what can fit into just one film. Even though it keeps its story relatively simple, such a complex concept will inevitably lead to some loose ends. Whether in regards to the Power drug or more specific plots points, the film ends with some open-ended questions - some answerable through clever extrapolation and others through total speculation.
What Happened To The Other Army Experimental Subjects?
The Power drug is based on Tracy’s special DNA that came as a result of military experimentation on Art, along with other Army rangers, an idea that Project Power borrowed from Captain America. The movie shows that Art escaped and had a daughter with her own natural superpowers. However, there is no further mention of these other rangers, what happened to them, or where they ended up. Their kids may have turned out like Tracy, or, similar to the other Russian super soldiers in Captain America: Civil War, there may now be a squad of souped-up government agents. This potential group of powered-up people could serve to expand the film's cast in Project Power 2 or a spinoff.
How Camouflage Man Managed To Last So Long
Project Power's titular pill is a complicated invention, but the film establishes that it only grants a power for five minutes. Yet, when Frank chases down the color-changing bank robber, this “Camouflage Man’s” ability seems to last longer than Frank’s. As with most action fantasy films, this is likely just an oversight or convenience-based decision on the filmmakers' part. However, there is always a chance that this detail has some sort of deeper implication. Most of the powers we see are unwieldy or even deadly to the user, but the chameleon-like person seems to have perfect control of his camouflage skin. It could be that he has found some sort of better variation of the pill, just took a bunch of them at once - or perhaps this mystery criminal is like Art’s daughter in that he always possesses a power.
Why Tracy Couldn't Heal Her Own Wounds
A lot happens in Project Power’s ending; however, the most memorable moment comes when Art super heats the rain to burn and kill all of the Teleios agents, draining his own life force in the process. Tracy fully reveals her healing ability when she brings her father back to the life. Yet, when Robin finds her on the boat, Tracy has a scar on her neck from the extraction and testing of her DNA. This calls into question why she can resurrect a seemingly dead person but cannot heal her own wound. It could be yet another logical oversight, but there is a slight chance there is something more here. Perhaps in testing, Teleios scientists found a way to negate or interfere with her powers. If so, such technology would play a key role in any future superpower struggles.
What's Left Of Teleios?
When threatened by Art, head Power dealer Biggie (Rodrigo Santoro) says that their entire operation is aboard the Genesis. The full Power project must be larger than just this one operation, especially since it seems to have ties to the government. There must be more to the development and production of this drug, but the exact extent remains to be seen. If Teleios has other test subjects like Tracy and is approaching the advancements Biggie promised in his sales pitch, this organization could be worldwide.
Are There More Superpowers In Project Power's World?
Project Power shows or mentions 13 superpowers, but there can certainly be more. Since the feats granted by Power come from animals and their evolutionary abilities, then all of nature could act as inspiration for more crazy skills and mutations. Many animals have venom or poison and a wide variety of methods to administer it to their predators or prey. Some animals can fly, thanks to various means of aerodynamics, whether it is by their wings, skin flaps, or webbing. The turritopsis jellyfish can even age backwards, which fits into the movie's theme that powers sometimes acting as much as a blessing as a curse. The possibilities are endless, so this series might just be getting started with regards to its superpowers.
What Robin's Superpower Is
Robin never pops a pill during the movie, thus leaving her innate superpower a mystery. After Robin improvises some rap for Art in the animal hospital, he calls that her power. Of course, he's speaking metaphorically, but it's the only hint toward what a pill might do to her. If it's indeed a hint at all, then her ability could be vocal-based, like DC's Black Canary. Or maybe she could possess some form of verbal mind control, as seen in Push or like Kilgrave from Jessica Jones.