Metropia

Set in a near future where oil reserves are vanishing and Europe sprawls into a labyrinth of underground tunnels, Metropia follows Roger, a quiet driver who starts hearing a single voice inside his own head that no one else seems to hear. When he tries to ignore the whisper, the experience pulls him deeper into a tangled web of power, technology and control that seems to reach into both his mind and his body. Perception and reality begin to blur as he uncovers a conspiracy about who gets to decide what a person believes, feels and does. The film leans into paranoia, surveillance and the uneasy tension of living inside a city that feels secretly engineered by unseen powers today.

Released in 2009, Metropia was directed by Tarik Saleh and is based on a story by Stig Larsson and Fredrik Edin. The film stands out as a European animated thriller that merges social critique with a claustrophobic urban vision today.

Box office details for Metropia are not widely reported, reflecting its status as a niche animated feature rather than a blockbuster. The film screened at regional festivals and earned attention for its visual style and mature themes in select markets.

Awards: While Metropia drew praise from critics for its ambition, it did not collect major nominations or wins from widely recognized award ceremonies. It did receive festival cheer for its animation technique and storytelling approach, underscoring its status as an audacious indie feature that pushes boundaries and invites discussion today.

Reception & Themes: Critics highlighted Metropia for its stark dystopian mood and its take on mind control, surveillance and personal autonomy in a crumbling European setting. Voice performances by Vincent Gallo, Juliette Lewis, Udo Kier, Stellan Skarsgård and Alexander Skarsgård anchor a conceptually dense tale of resistance for modern viewers.