Idiocracy

Main Plot

In Idiocracy, a man named Joe Bauers, an average American, is selected for a top-secret hibernation program designed to preserve a "perfect" human. However, due to a series of mishaps, he is forgotten and wakes up 500 years in the future. In this dystopian world, society has become incredibly unintelligent, with rampant consumerism and anti-intellectualism dominating everyday life. Joe quickly realizes that he is now the smartest person on the planet, surrounded by people who struggle with basic concepts and language. As he navigates this bizarre society, he becomes embroiled in a series of comedic situations that highlight the absurdity of the future world. Joe's journey ultimately leads him to confront the challenges of a society that has devolved due to neglect of education and critical thinking, prompting him to seek ways to improve the world around him.

Characters

• Luke Wilson plays Joe Bauers, an average man who wakes up 500 years in the future to find society drastically dumbed down, and he becomes the smartest person alive.
• Maya Rudolph plays Rita, a prostitute who becomes part of a government experiment and helps navigate a dystopian future alongside the protagonist.
• Dax Shepard plays Frito Pendejo, a lazy, dim-witted lawyer who helps the protagonist navigate a dystopian future dominated by anti-intellectualism.

Ending Explained

In the ending of Idiocracy, the protagonist Joe Bauers, who has been awakened from a hibernation experiment gone wrong, confronts the absurdity of a future society that has become incredibly unintelligent. After navigating a world dominated by commercialism and ignorance, Joe is ultimately appointed as the President of the United States due to his unique intelligence. The climax occurs when Joe realizes that the problems plaguing society—overpopulation, environmental degradation, and rampant consumerism—are deeply rooted in the collective choices of the populace. He decides to take action by addressing the issues head-on. In a pivotal moment, Joe delivers a speech that highlights the importance of education, critical thinking, and responsibility. His message resonates with the citizens, who begin to recognize the need for change. The film concludes with a sense of hope as Joe's influence starts to inspire a shift in societal values. The final scenes suggest that while the challenges are immense, the potential for improvement exists if people can learn from their past mistakes. This resolution ties back to the overall narrative, emphasizing the importance of intelligence and awareness in shaping a better future.