When comparing this film to the novel The Handmaid's Tale, both protagonists deal with authority over them but its harder to compare when there is no study on the topic as a whole.

Alfonso Cuarón's interpretation of the novel reflects the grey futile dystopia that the world has become. I think the logical result of a complete global meltdown would be authoritarian governments closing boarders, the rich closing their gates, and the poor and middle class falling into despair and poverty. People turn to authoritarian governments in times of crises with the perception that these governments can help them protect what is theirs. Anti-immigrant sentiment is becoming the cornerstone of these regimes. People need to hate other people in order to feel safe. I think Alfonso Cuarón meant for the audience to take in the overwhelming mess that the planet has become because of infertility. Authoritarian conservative governments are but a piece of the fall of civilization.