An angel should never enter the kingdom of heaven without a gift

While the majority of the film unfolds from K’s perspective, there are scenes in which he is not present. Instead, they focus on Luv, thereby demonstrating her importance as a protagonist throughout the film. In the first of these scenes, we see her meet Niander Wallace. We gain an insight into an existence which is as off-limits to a human, as a human life is to a Replicant: that of the CEO of a mega corporation.

Wallace’s appearance is biblical. The sun rises with him, and his surroundings are made from wood – a priceless material in this world. Money is a quaint concept to people at this level, therefore the desire for riches is replaced by something else.

What is that ‘else’?

Power, at a God-like level. This is evident in Wallace’s vocabulary, which is replete with biblical terminology and sentence structure:

Niander Wallace: “An angel should never enter the kingdom of heaven without a gift.”

The most interesting thing about Wallace is his blurring of man and machine – he is the only character in the world of BR49 that has a mix of these two components – blind as a human, but technologically enhanced with his multiple eyes. Though never addressed, it is most likely an intentional self alteration - the floating eyes reflect his character and also serve as a visual metaphor which is later touched upon very subtly. The eyes are the windows to the soul, and in Wallace’s case, indicate his character: analytical, methodical, calculating.

As a new Replicant is revealed, its shivering, helpless mannerisms spur a parental response - evoking a sense of empathy and anger in the viewer. This is further exacerbated by Wallace’s callous disregard for the ‘newborn’ Replicant:

NW: “The first thought, an intense fear. To preserve the clay. It’s fascinating. Before we even know what we are, we fear to lose it.”

Wallace slicing open the Replicant’s stomach is both chilling and rage-inducing in the way she accepts her fate without resistance. At the same time, we see Luv stand by and watch – disturbed, but without reacting.

Tellingly, Luv doesn’t look at Wallace. This lack of eye contact denotes a child like sense of wonderment, shame, fear, obedience and rage. It’s an echo of Batty’s complicated reverence for his creator, Elden Tyrell:

Roy Batty: “Not an easy thing to meet your maker”