It’s been a few years since we heard from Connor Reed (Robbie Amell) and Garrett Kelton (Stephen Amell), the fugitives who turned Lincoln City upside down in the first Code 8 film. In a fictional world where 4% of the population is born with special abilities, these two are particularly dangerous: They’re “PWPs” (people with powers) who use their skills to commit crimes. Released in 2019, Code 8 was a crowdfunded sensation that raised more than $2 million on Indiegogo; it introduced audiences to the world of PWPs — and the robotic police force tracking them down. The sequel is an exciting Canadian original film, picking up the story of Connor and Garrett soon after it left off. 

At the end of Code 8, Connor and Garrett go their separate ways, but the events of Code 8: Part II bring them back together — and nothing will ever be the same. “I want Connor to have to really deal with the ramifications of his actions in Code 8,” director Jeff Chan said. “But despite his current situation, Connor is a good and noble person at heart — a protector.” You can check out a trailer for the new film above and find out more about Code 8: Part II below. But first, here’s what you need to remember from the first movie. 

What happened in the first Code 8?

The original Code 8 tells the story of Connor (Robbie Amell), an electrokinetic PWP living in a world where powered individuals are shunned. In the wake of an industrial revolution that left PWPs by the wayside, powered crime is on the rise, and the city is debating a ban on PWPs altogether. Desperate to care for his ailing mother, Connor gets caught up in the increasingly deadly world of Lincoln City crime. He falls in with Garrett (Stephen Amell), a telekinetic enforcer working for the Trust, a crime syndicate dealing a new and incredibly addictive drug called Psyke made from the spinal fluid of PWPs. Hunted by Detectives Park (Sung Kang) and Davis (Aaron Abrams), the unlikely team begin running increasingly dangerous heists to help their boss, Marcus (Greg Byrk), who’s in debt to his Trust benefactors after a police raid seized his stockpile of Psyke. 

Connor and Garrett soon find themselves planning the biggest heist yet, on the police department’s supply of stolen Psyke. They offer the heist up to Marcus — in return, Connor asks for powered henchwoman Nia to heal his mother, and Garrett asks to become a full partner in the drug trade. This second demand winds up undoing the arrangement; Marcus’ crew betrays Connor and Garrett on the day of the heist, leaving the pair framed and alone. Connor tips the cops off to Marcus’ hideout, and he and Garrett use the raid as cover to kill Marcus. Connor brings Nia to the hospital to heal his mother, but changes his mind when he realizes healing her illness will mean Nia taking it on herself. He says goodbye as his mother passes away and turns himself in to the police. Elsewhere, Garrett takes over the Lincoln City drug trade, and the city votes on the Powers ban. 

Where can I see photos from Code 8?

Right here!

What does “Code 8” mean?

A Code 8 is the police code for a powered crime. In the world of Code 8, all Powers are required to register their abilities; a crime committed by a powered individual is taken extremely seriously. 

So, what is Code 8: Part II about?

In this sequel to Code 8, Connor is out of prison and working as a janitor at a community center, having cut ties with his former criminal associate, Garrett. Connor’s attempt at staying out of trouble is destroyed when he’s forced to help 14-year-old Pav (Sirena Gulamgaus) escape from a pack of corrupt officers led by Sergeant King (Alex Mallari Jr.). King uses the newly launched robotic K9s to track Pav down, while Connor finds himself once again reaching out to Garrett and his crew for help, but can he trust the man who landed him in prison in the first place?

“In Part II, the story jumps forward five years, landing in the wake of public pressure to reform the police’s use of lethal force,” Chan told Netflix. “But instead of conceding power, it’s being shifted, repackaged, and resold to the public as a form of ‘change.’”

The Code 8 team is hoping to use the film’s genre trappings to ask serious questions about the world we live in today. “I wanted the film to feel deeply contemporary at its core,” Chan said. “We are fast approaching a transformation in policing, one where we will have to negotiate difficult questions regarding the use of AI technology and robotics. The film is meant to explore the strange and frightening future we’re barreling towards."

The Code 8: Part II teaser showcases a few of those questions, as well as the twists and turns that see Connor and Garrett team up again. It’s complete with explosive, electrifying showdowns and robotic canines on their trail. “Connor, I think we’re going to do big things together,” Garrett says. We agree. 

Who’s in the cast of Code 8: Part II?

Robbie Amell and Stephen Amell take the lead, and they’re joined by Alex Mallari Jr., Sirena Gulamgaus, Jean Yoon, and Aaron Abrams. 

Gulamgaus plays Pav, the teen runaway that the plot of Part II revolves around. “As thrilled as I am to bring back the characters from the first film, I’m most excited to introduce the new character Pavani,” Chan said. “Pav is the moral center of this story. In the dark and complex world of Lincoln City, I want to contrast our characters with someone whose hopefulness simultaneously defines and challenges them.”

When will Code 8: Part II be on Netflix?

Code 8: Part II is now streaming on Netflix.