Dystopian Series ‘Curfew’ Explores Gender-Based Safety Measures

The new crime drama ‘Curfew,’ based on Jayne Cowie’s novel ‘After Dark,’ airs on Paramount+, offering a provocative exploration of gender-based violence in a dystopian future. The series imagines a world where, under the Women’s Safety Act, men are subjected to a 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew, enforced through electronic tagging, in an effort to drastically reduce violence against women.

The narrative takes a tense turn when a woman is found murdered during curfew hours, raising doubts about the effectiveness and infallibility of such stringent measures. Detective Inspector Pamela Green, portrayed by Sarah Parish, is determined to unravel the mystery behind the murder, even as her male colleagues doubt her judgment.

“There’s a lot of fear you feel from just being a woman sometimes,” said Alexandra Burke, who stars as Helen, a local teacher involved in the plot. Burke, known for her musical talents from her ‘X Factor‘ days, takes on a serious acting role as a complex character making challenging decisions.

Executive producer Nathalie Peter-Contesse explained the creative vision behind the drama: “The show is trying to shift the responsibility of the safety of women onto men and the government. What would it look like if, for once, women didn’t have to look over their shoulders?”

The series prompts viewers to question whether surface-level solutions, like a curfew on men, can genuinely address the deep-seated issues of gender-based violence. “This is an issue that plagues society that shows no sign of being fixed,” added Peter-Contesse, emphasizing the ongoing debates on women’s safety globally.

The idea of a male curfew is not entirely new. Following the murder of Sarah Everard in 2021, Baroness Jenny Jones made headlines in the UK by proposing a symbolic 6 p.m. curfew for men, aiming to highlight how often women must alter their behavior for safety. Although deemed extreme by some, it sparked necessary conversations about gender-based restrictions.

In related measures across Europe, countries like Switzerland and Spain have implemented electronic monitoring to curb violence, mirroring the technological themes explored in ‘Curfew.’

‘Curfew’ is available for streaming on Paramount+ from October 10 and features a notable ensemble cast including Larry Lamb, Bobby Brazier, and Mandip Gill. The series not only delves into the constraints of government-imposed safety but also challenges traditional gender norms by questioning whether women are capable of violent acts.