Captain fantastic

"Captain Fantastic" follows the unconventional life of Ben and Leslie Cash, who have chosen to live off the grid with their six children in the mountains of Washington state. Embracing socialist and survivalist ideals, Ben imparts rigorous physical training and critical thinking skills to his children, who are non-registered homeschooled and possess self-sufficiency in hunting, foraging, and growing food. This lifestyle is not only a rejection of mainstream society, which Ben views as fascist, but also a response to Leslie's bipolar disorder, diagnosed after postpartum depression with their first child.

​Leslie's deteriorating mental health leads to her hospitalization and subsequent suicide, triggering a clash between Ben and Leslie's father, Jack, who blames Ben for her death. The film explores the clash of ideological and generational differences, as well as the struggle between Ben's alternative lifestyle and Jack's more traditional Christian values. Leslie's last wishes for a Buddhist cremation become a point of contention, challenging the family's unity.

​As the Cash family ventures into commercial America for the funeral, the children, previously sheltered from mainstream society, are exposed to its complexities. Bo, in particular, faces the challenges of transitioning into adulthood and contemplates diverging paths from his father's teachings. The film navigates the poignant complexities of grief, family dynamics, and the clash between counterculture and conventional norms. "Captain Fantastic" serves as an exploration of the human experience and the quest for identity amid societal expectations.