Marina Antunes [Celluloid 03.30.17] post apocalyptic thriller



When we first meet Ann, she is living in her car in the middle of the woods. What she's doing out there is not immediately explained but from early on, it's clear she's not simply on some peaceful retreat in the woods. She's living out of her car, eating whatever rations she has left in combination with the little she can forage until she simply has nothing left.


Ann is the survivor of an outbreak which has turned most of the population into zombies and as Here Alone moves forward, we get our first glimpse at those zombies when she travels to a nearby house in search of food. From the get-go, it's clear zombies are the least important thing about this movie. We only see a glimpse of them moving quickly through a field, their grunting sounds providing the necessary reaction.


There are zombies but Rod Blackhurst's film is far less interested in them and far more interested in the human story at hand. Aside from Ann who appears to be a well versed outdoors woman capable of taking care of herself, we soon meet Chris and Olivia, a father and his stepdaughter who run into some trouble on their way North. Ann finds them on the road near her campsite and opts to rescue and help the pair rather than let them die. Her reasons aren't immediately obvious but human nature suggests that she's likely lonely and the need for companionship pulls at her more than the possibility of the end of her peaceful existence.



The trio quickly develops a friendship but just as quickly things become strained. Olivia is dealing with adolescent feelings and emotions that lead her to make some terrible choices which, ultimately, lead to the trio having to make some tough choices and sacrifices.


Zombie action is on the backburner of Here Alone. They're certainly a persistent threat and eventually, Blackburst does provide a rather impressive showdown but the film relies primarily on the unfolding social drama. Adam David Thompson is rather unmemorable as Chris but the character is given very little to do. The central focus here are the women.


Lucy Walters, mostly known for her television roles in "Power" and "Falling Water," is compelling as Ann and over the course of the movie we see her as both independent and strong but also as a vulnerable new mother. And then there's Olivia, angst-ridden teenager with confusing ideas about what she wants and needs, typical teenager, played brilliantly by Gina Piersanti.


Here Alone is quiet and pensive and mostly free of zombie action but it's loaded with emotion and a well-mounted exploration of the impact of a catastrophe on the individual and exploring the effects it has on society never gets old.

Here Alone opens March 31.



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digs5446 (1 year ago) Reply

any word on a VOD date?

MichaelRAllen (1 year ago) Reply

@Digs They just released this one in the US, on VOD. If you are in Canada, then you are SOL.

Check out my review too, if you have time: http://www.28dayslateranalysis.com/2017/04/here-alone-should-stay-remain-in.html

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