Is 'Pluribus' based on 'Soylent Green'? Here's what episode 6 may reveal about the growing theory
Apple TV's 'Pluribus' has quickly become one of the most widely discussed sci-fi releases of the year, and with good reason. The apocalyptic series from Vince Gilligan, the creator behind 'Breaking Bad', has sparked passionate fan theories and growing speculation about what's really driving its unsettling mystery. After the release of episode 5, viewers began drawing parallels to the 1973 dystopian classic 'Soylent Green', arguing that 'Pluribus' might be reimagining the same core twist for a modern audience. But is the comparison justified? Here's a clear breakdown of both stories, what they have in common, and why the connection may not be as direct as some fans believe.
The 1973 thriller 'Soylent Green' is set in an overpopulated New York City ravaged by pollution and mass resource scarcity. The world has deteriorated to such an extent that ordinary people rely almost entirely on processed food rations created by the Soylent Corporation, including the infamous Soylent Green. At the center of the story is NYPD detective Robert Thorn (Charlton Heston), who investigates the murder of influential executive William Simonson. Working alongside his aging partner Sol Roth (Edward G. Robinson), Thorn begins to uncover a disturbing truth: society's elites still enjoy fresh produce and all the luxuries long denied to the general public.
As Thorn follows the trail, he discovers horrifying evidence suggesting that Soylent Green, the population’s primary food source, is produced using human remains. The film ends with Thorn being ambushed by assassins connected to the corporation. Fatally wounded inside a church, he desperately tries to reveal the truth, shouting the now-legendary line: "Soylent Green is people!" before authorities drag him away. However, 'Pluribus' takes a very different approach to dystopia. Set in an Albuquerque transformed by a strange alien virus, the show follows Carol (Rhea Seehorn), a bitter, isolated writer often described as "the most miserable person on Earth."
She becomes one of only 13 people immune to an alien-induced state of euphoric unity known as "the Joining", as per Poprant. Everyone else on Earth drifts into a peaceful, permanently content hive mind. The Joining is not portrayed as violent; rather, it's unsettling because of its calm uniformity. Carol, however, wants answers. In her investigation, she learns that the "milk" consumed by nearly everyone is being produced from water and a suspicious chalk-like substance connected to a dog-food manufacturer. Episode 5 escalates the mystery further when Carol discovers something horrific about the true origin of the milk.
The episode ends before the reveal, but many fans believe the substance may be linked to human remains, prompting immediate comparisons to 'Soylent Green'. So, is 'Pluribus' inspired by 'Soylent Green'? At this point, speculation is natural. The setup sounds adjacent to the 1973 thriller, but the similarities may be more surface-level than thematic. Even if the milk does turn out to involve human remains, the context is entirely different. The hivemind does not appear to be murdering people for sustenance. In fact, 'Pluribus' constantly asks viewers to question whether the Joining is even "evil" at all. So far, there's no clear evidence that 'Pluribus' is retelling 'Soylent Green'. According to RadioTimes, episode 6 of 'Pluribus' is scheduled to premiere on December 5.
