Garland, who previously directed “Men” and “Ex Machina,” takes aim at those seeking to divide us. He’s not looking to appease the Left or the Right but to show what might happen if our tribal ways worsen.

The director also flirts with one of the biggest issues of our age, perhaps without realizing it. Here’s part of what he said at a post-screening panel at this month’s SXSW Film and TV Festival.

“We’ve lost trust in the media and politicians. And some in the media are wonderful and some politicians are wonderful—on both sides of the divide. I have a political position and I have good friends on the other side of that political divide. Honestly, I’m not trying to be cute: What’s so hard about that? Why are we shutting [conversation] down? [emphasis added].

There are two ways to consider that statement.