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The Network is the main antagonist of the 2013 sci-fi comedy The World's End, the third and final installment of the Three Flavours Cornetto film trilogy.

Depicted as an omniscient alien being, it is responsible for taking over many civilizations and replacing them with robot replicas known as 'simulants', informally recognised as Blanks.

The Network is voiced by Bill Nighy, who also played Viktor in the Underworld film series, Davy Jones in the Pirates of the Caribbean film series, Whitey in Flushed Away, Rattlesnake Jake in Rango, General Fallon in Jack the Giant Slayer, Prince Naberius in I, Frankenstein, Leo Argyll in Ordeal of Innocence, Howard Clifford in Pokémon: Detective Pikachu and Cardinal Lawrence in The First Omen.

History[]

The Network's first known appearance was on June 22 1990, entering the atmosphere somewhere nearby the town of Newton Haven in the form of a shooting star. Around the world, there were a total of around two-thousand 'penetration points'. They proceeded to shelter themselves underground, eventually building up several hubs in which simulants were likely produced.

The Network first replaced people of influence, using their large following to convince the masses to join their hivemind. Not long afterwards, it's assumed a majority of the population became followers of the Network. As for those who refused to fall in line, they are replaced with simulants and then crushed into fertilizer.

Twenty-three years after their arrival in Newton Haven, most of the habitants of the town have been replaced. This year would spell trouble for the Network, as a man named Gary King would reunite his childhood friends to complete an unfinished pub crawl that was abandoned at the same time they entered the town.

In October of 2013, Gary King, Oliver Chamberlain, Peter Page, Steven Prince and Andrew Knightley entered a pub titled "The Cross Hands", the fourth pub in the Golden Mile. This is where the presence of the Network was first noticed, when Peter's childhood bully Shane Hawkins approached them without acknowledging who they were. The next encounter finally alerted them of a difference, when Gary King attacks and decapitates a teenage simulant, leading to a battle between the five friends and the rest of the teenagers, including the one Gary just 'killed'.

Upon winning the brawl and leaving the restroom, the rest of the pub-goers stare at the friends who proceed to the next pub. The simulants continue to glare at them throughout the night, until pub six, where Oliver leaves to the toilet for a brief moment. The friends encounter the Reverend Green (real name Trevor), their old dealer, who is now a trusty servant for the Network. He and two other servants refute the 'robot' label given to the simulants. The friends provoke Trevor to the point where he is told that he will be replaced, and so he enters the restroom at the same time Oliver returns.

Appearance & Behavior[]

The Network's emblem consists of five stripes which gradually lengthen until the center line, using blue as a signature colour.

The Network had no real physical form, as it is an intergalactic hivemind organisation taking the appearance of multiple sentient beings across the galaxy. This can range from mere humanoids to colossal and statuesque creatures.

Human simulants look virtually identical to real human beings until they are severely damaged. Simulants are built somewhat like action figures, with detachable limbs and head. Because of this, they are quite fragile, and these parts are able to be easily removed, mismatched or even destroyed by simple attacks such as a punch to the head/gut or the seat of a stool. Simulants' heads are hollowed out, and can still function if it is still attached to the body. If simply detached from their joints, limbs and heads can still move, bend and make expressions.

The Network persuades people through "peaceful indoctrination", but admits that they are not afraid to be stern or get tough. If one refuses to comply, all simulants in the surrounding area will be triggered into an aggressive state, which is indicated by an open mouth, which along with both eyes, is lit up with a bright blue glow. When attacking a non-compliant being, they reach out to grab their face, in which their hand transfers an energy which presumably kills them. On the other hand, if the dissident escapes, the simulants will patrol the outside by running in groups while still in the aggressive state.

When passive, simulants tend to be set on specific pathways, for example walking as a couple with their arms tied or a mother taking a baby for a stroll. At other times they will simply stand by. However, when the friends walk out of the Cross Hands with the blue blood on them, they would stop their movements and stare blankly.

There were also times where The Network have blown their cover, such as one of their simulants repeating word for word what Gary King said in the First Post. Another example is the Network creating a simulant of Adrian Keane, a man who died eight years prior to the second attempt at the Golden Mile.

When Gary King and Andrew Knightley reach The World's End and enter an underground Network facility, the Network is depicted as a visualiser in the shape of their emblem, generated by triggered simulants.

The 'voice of the Network' speaks formally, and talks to the surviving friends in a benevolent manner. This image is broken shortly, as the Network becomes hateful once their offer is refused.

Trivia[]

• Of all of the Cornetto Trilogy main antagonists, the Network appeared to have the best goals in mind as they wished to perfect beings simply in their own image and arguably improve them. This is backed up due to the fact that David had a mere petty hatred and possible jealousy of Shaun, to the point of attempting to and then forcing him to shoot his own mother, while Frank Butterman took his intentions much too far and committed several atrocities in the name of avenging his wife.

Navigation[]

The Trilogy Villains

Movies Shaun of the Dead: David Fastidious | Pete | Zombies Hot Fuzz: Neighbourhood Watch Alliance (Frank Butterman, Simon Skinner, Tom Weaver, Michael Armstrong, Reverend Philip Shooter, Robin Hatcher, Joyce Cooper, Amanda Paver, Annette Roper, James Reaper, Roy and Mary Porter, Leslie Tiller, Mr. Treacher, Greg and Sheree Fowler & Somerfield Employees) The World's End: The Network | Blanks (Oliver Chamberlain, Guy Shepherd, Shane Hawkins, Marmalade Sandwich & Twins)