The new Pluribus trailer teases a chilling vision of a world where happiness comes at a deadly cost. Discover the haunting sci-fi mystery that questions what joy is truly worth.
From cryptic teasers to a menacing conversation with the President (Peter Bergman) himself, everything we’ve seen of Vince Gilligan’s (Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul mastermind) new show has been mysterious. So far, we’ve only been given a hint that something has gone horribly wrong with the world, except for one woman (Carol, played by longtime Gilligan collaborator Rhea Seehorn). We now know a little more, and the situation is becoming increasingly unsettling.
It’s a few weeks before the show premieres. The first full trailer for Pluribus (stylized as PLUR1BUS) offers a clearer glimpse into the bizarre universe where everyone is content. Everyone, that is, except author Carol Sturka. The trailer opens with a serene voice promising “happiness for all,” but the calm quickly fractures into a nightmare of control and conformity. Smiling citizens move in eerie unison, and moments of rebellion are met with swift, unnerving consequences. The imagery suggests a society powered by technology that can regulate emotions, blurring the line between peace and oppression.
She’s understandably alarmed, and not only because of the newfound optimism of the rest of humanity, but also because it seems like everyone is eager to figure out how she might join them at whatever cost.
Watch the trailer below:
However, it’s not just the incredibly upbeat, zombie-like happy people who are contributing to the creep factor. We get a better look at the world around Carol in this new trailer, and it appears that whatever happened to turn the rest of humanity in this direction was preceded by a major disaster—dead bodies, burning cities and cars, ambulances everywhere—all of which are being gradually cleared away by cheerfully marching hordes of people. The moment Carol is in public, people still make an effort to point out her differences.
At its core, Pluribus explores the dangers of a society that prioritizes collective harmony over individual freedom. The film’s title—Latin for “many”—hints at the loss of self in pursuit of a greater, artificial good. It’s a haunting reflection on the modern obsession with happiness, echoing the emotional manipulation seen in stories like Black Mirror and The Giver.
It has a fantastic vibe, and even while it shows us a lot more of the program than we have already seen, it hardly reveals anything, leaving us eager to see what else Gilligan has in store.
Pluribus premieres on Apple TV on November 7 with two episodes, followed by weekly releases every Friday through December 26.
What do you think of the Pluribus trailer? Let us know in the comments below!
