, starring Nicolas Cage in the lead role, is set in a traumatizing dystopian future, fifteen years after humanity has been virtually destroyed. Cage plays the role of a man named Paul. Paul, along with Thomas and Joseph, his adopted twin sons, struggles to survive in a dangerous world where nocturnal monsters devour anything that moves.
The terror and suspense is evident just a few minutes into . The movie starts off on a scary and engaging note, grabbing the audience with its pure intensity and world building. Given that isn’t a big budget movie, director Benjamin Brewer does a fine job that walks the line between being a sci-fi horror and a tender coming-of-age drama.
Cage’s performance is above the mark, and the writing is engrossing, for the most part. The choice of filming in Ireland works in its favor as the atmosphere created by Frank Mobilio, the cinematographer, sucks you into a seemingly peaceful beauty of the calm rural setting. Meanwhile, this is contrasted near perfectly by the horrible danger that lurks in every hill and vale.
In the narrative of ’s story, human beings are believed to be extinct. Despite this, Paul is optimistic about other people being out there somewhere. He’s confident that others would one day come forward and save them from the nightmare that the world has become.
But, unsurprisingly, no one comes to save them, prompting the twin brothers to keep themselves and their father safe. But it’s a lot tougher than it appears. is the most effective when it is not trying to be like other horror flicks.
The characters are well fleshed out, unlike the generic horror movie stock characters you see in most scary movies. For instance, while Joseph is brainy, Thomas is pragmatic and logical. The only other people in the movie, apart from the lead characters, are a neighboring family with a teenage daughter.
There are no other relationships with the outside in . The sense of isolation and loneliness is captured well. We know that horrible danger lurks behind every bolted door and, to make things even more unhinged, most of the movie unfolds either in the dark, or by candlelight.
Another quality that works in favor of is the way information is revealed throughout the movie. We don’t see the scary monsters unless we absolutely need to. The audience is encouraged to use their own imaginations about what might transpire when the monsters are nearby.
But, when you do see the monsters, it’s a new experience as the creatures are nothing like you’ve ever seen in a movie before. There’s an undeniable unsettling quality to it. But, despite this, the human characters are compelling enough for the viewer to care about them, root for them, and real enough for us to be able to relate.
, by no measure, is perfect. It has its fair share of flaws, logical inconsistencies, and unanswered questions, which you can zero in on when you watch the movie for yourself. But, still, it’s quite satisfying.
The three teenagers, played by Jaeden Martell, Maxwell Jenkins, and Sadie Soverall, are impressive with their performances. Overall, definitely is a one time watch when you’re looking to watch something scary on a Friday night..
