Unlicensed 2020
"In the near future you need a license to be an adult. Without this license you have no rights at all. Unlicensed is a story about everyday people learning to cope in this subtly dystopian world"
Aaron Yeger's sharp near-future drama *Unlicensed* (2020) explores a quietly unsettling society where legal adulthood hinges on passing a bureaucratic test. At 28 without his Adult License, our protagonist lives on society's margins, confined to a dormitory for the unlicensed.
Director: Aaron Yeger
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Unlicensed (2020) about?
*Unlicensed* presents a chillingly close dystopia where getting an Adult License is mandatory—otherwise, you lose all rights. A 28-year-old unlicensed man, living in forced isolation, finds new meaning when his 16-year-old brother, newly licensed, lands in danger and needs his help.
Who directed Unlicensed?
Aaron Yeger directed *Unlicensed*. Known for his nuanced storytelling and atmospheric visuals, Yeger crafts a dystopian world that feels unsettlingly real.
Who stars in Unlicensed?
The cast includes Jess Salgueiro, Kevin Hanchard, Gregory Ambrose Calderone, Scott Edgecombe, and AJ Vaage.
Is Unlicensed (2020) worth watching?
With its sharp premise and grounded performances, *Unlicensed* is a compelling watch for fans of dystopian drama. Its 20-minute runtime keeps the story tight, and Yeger's direction ensures emotional resonance without sacrificing thematic depth.
How long is Unlicensed?
The film runs for 20 minutes.
About Unlicensed (2020) — A near-future drama of rights, family, and rebellion
Aaron Yeger's sharp near-future drama *Unlicensed* (2020) explores a quietly unsettling society where legal adulthood hinges on passing a bureaucratic test. At 28 without his Adult License, our protagonist lives on society's margins, confined to a dormitory for the unlicensed. His world shifts when his younger brother, barely 16 but newly licensed, stumbles into trouble—sparking a crisis that forces the protagonist to rediscover purpose beyond institutionalized exclusion. Shot in Toronto with a grounded, intimate visual style, the film balances dystopian tension with deeply human emotions, contrasting sterile government corridors and fluorescent dormitories against the warmth of family bonds.
Jess Salgueiro anchors the story as the unlicensed protagonist, ably supported by Kevin Hanchard and Gregory Ambrose Calderone, grounding a narrative that feels both speculative and eerily plausible. Yeger crafts a tone that's subtle yet potent: the slow creep of authoritarian oversight, the quiet desperation of those left behind, and the flicker of resistance in everyday acts. It's a compact but potent meditation on autonomy, identity, and the price of compliance in a world that demands you earn your humanity.