"Code 8" is a science fiction film that explores a world where people with superpowers are marginalized. Robbie Amell plays Connor Reed, a Class 5 Electric with electrical powers. The movie was financed by crowdfunding and became a one-off feature film. The story is set in a working-class world full of superpowers, where people like Connor are treated as second-class citizens. The film features a talented cast, including Stephen Amell, Sung Kang and Kari Matchett, each bringing unique abilities to the story. The sequel, "Code 8: Part II", further explores the complexities of this world.
Summary
Code 8 is a unique science fiction film that explores a world where people with superpowers are marginalized and treated as second-class citizens. Robbie Amell plays Connor Reed, a Class 5 Electric with the power to absorb and produce electrical currents to help his sick mother. The film features a talented cast, including Stephen Amell, Sung Kang and Kari Matchett, each bringing their unique abilities to the story.
One of Netflix's original superhero movies, the Code 8 powers of its characters make it a totally unique science fiction movie. Written by Jeff Chan and Chris Paré, Code 8 began as a short film in 2016. A crowdfunding campaign was launched to turn it into a feature, with over 30,000 donors and US$ 3.4 million in crowdfunding. Paré and Chan returned to the project, reworking the script and directing the film, respectively, which deals with a working-class world full of superpowers.
Set in Lincoln City and an alternative world, a small percentage of the world's population live with incredible abilities. Once revered and recruited to help in construction and manufacturing, a second industrial revolution has left them vilified and marginalized. Treated as a second-class citizen, a young man is forced to join a gang of super-powered criminals to help his terminally ill mother. With so much going on, viewers may need a summary of the characters' Code 8 powers, as well as its sequel, Cody 8: Part II, and the actors who played them.
Related 30 best movies on Netflix right now (March 2024) From Wedding Story to Dune and They Cloned Tyrone, here are our picks of the best movies on Netflix for everyone to enjoy this month.
Robbie Amell as Connor Reed
Connor has powers of electricity
In Code 8, Robbie Amell plays Connor - a construction worker struggling to make ends meet. Defined as a class 5 electric, Connor Reed's Code 8 powers are to absorb and produce electrical currents powerful enough to destroy an entire city block. He's not a bad guy, but he's forced to deal with villains in the first movie to help his mother. In the sequel, he works with troubled youths, but ends up getting involved once again with Garrett's criminal organization when corrupt cops roam the streets.
As well as playing Ronnie Raymond (aka Firestorm) in the Arrowverse, the actor has appeared in The X-Files, Netflix's A Series of Unfortunate Events and films such as The Nanny and its sequel and the 2023 vacation movie EXmas. He also starred as Chris Redfield in Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City.
Stephen Amell as Garrett
Garrett has telekinetic powers
In the first movie, Garrett is a mid-level agent in Marcus Suttcliffe's anti-drug operation. Eager to elevate his position and expand his opportunities, he recruits Connor into his gang for several high-profile crimes. Although his level is never explicitly offered, Garrett is designated TK - which means he has telekinetic abilities and can move things with his mind. In the second movie, he takes control of the drug operation, trying to run it ethically, but ends up fighting corrupt cops in Lincoln City.
In addition to being Robbie's cousin, Stephen Amell is best known for his work in the Arrowverse, starring as Oliver Queen/Green Arrow in Arrow for eight seasons. He also appeared briefly in New Girl and had a starring role in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows as Casey Jones. He also starred in the Starz professional wrestling series Heels on Starz as the main character, Jack Spade. Amell next appeared in the Suits spinoff series, Suits LA.
Who else is in Code 8?
Sung Kang is Alex Park, father of a powerful daughter. The mild-mannered detective finds himself on the trail of the gang. When it comes to Code 8 powers, he has none. Kang is best known as Han Lue in the Fast and Furious franchise. Kang also voiced Dung Hai in Raya and the Last Dragon, played Assistant US Attorney John Mak in Power and took on the role of the Fifth Brother in the Star Wars spin-off, Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Aaron Abrams is Davis, Park's morally flexible partner detective. Davis is one of the characters who also returned in the sequel, helping Connor and Garrett once again by exposing Lincoln City's corrupt cops. He also has no Code 8 powers. Abrams is best known for his recurring role as crime scene investigator Brian Zeller on NBC's Hannibal. He has also starred as Matthew Weitz in Blindspot and James in Children Ruin Everything. He also wrote and produced the Netflix comedy film The Lovebirds.
Kari Matchett is Mary Reed, Connor's mother. Mary is designated Cryo, which means she can produce and manipulate ice. Her terminal illness, however, makes her powers unstable, which is why Connor starts working with criminals, as he needs help to pay for his surgery. Matchett has played leading roles in shows such as 24 Hours (as Lisa Miller) and ER (as Skye Wexler). She has also received award nominations for the Canadian TV shows Power Play, Blue Murder and Fortunate Son.
Greg Bryk is Marcus Sutcliffe, the head of the Psyke anti-drug organization that plagues Lincoln City. Sutcliffe is Garrett's boss and designated Reader - which means he can hear people's thoughts. Bryk starred in the ill-fated V-Wars on Netflix. He also starred in the lead role in the werewolf series, Bitten. He has also appeared in My Spy with Dave Bautista, Ad Astra with Brad Pitt and the horror film Saw 3D.
Kyla Kane is Nia, a designated healer who can heal wounds. Nia is also a Psyke addict in Sutcliffe's debt, and with whom Connor forms a bond. Kane previously starred in the horror anthology series Channel Zero. Code 8 was her last acting appearance to date.
Laysla De Oliveira is Maddy, Garrett's girlfriend and literal partner in crime. Maddy is part of his gang. As for her Code 8 powers, she is registered as a Pyro, she can generate and manipulate heat. Oliveira recently starred as the villain Dodge in Netflix's Locke & Key, as the main villain, the demonic Dodge. She also stars as the mutant Glow in the X-Men TV series, The Gifted. She also has a role in Taylor Sheridan's 2023 series, Special Ops: Lioness.
Vlad Alexis is Freddie, who is blessed with super strength. The mute Freddie is classified as Brawn and the last member of Garrett's gang. Alexis had an uncredited appearance in X-Men: Apocalypse. Since her role in Code 8, Alexis has appeared in the TV series The D Cut, District 31 and Symphonie Pathetique.
Code 8
Code 8 centers on Connor Reed, a young construction worker who becomes deeply involved with a group of criminals after being given superpowers to help his sick mother. Robbie Amell stars in the sci-fi action film directed by Jeff Chan, alongside Kari Matchett, Penny Eizenga, Lawrence Bayne and Jai Jai Jones.
Director Jeff Chan
Release date December 6, 2019
Elevation photos of the studio(s)
Writers Chris Pare, Jeff Chan
Cast Lawrence Bayne, Stephen Amell, Shaun Benson, Penny Eizenga, Laysla De Oliveira, Robbie Amell, Alex Mallari Jr., Kari Matchett, Martin Roach, Aaron Abrams, Jai Jai Jones, Sung Kang
English 
Portuguese 
Spanish 
French 
Polish 
Romanian 
Turkish 
Arabic