This is my kinda film! Right from the opening shots I was sold. Tense. Near silent. Unknown danger. A strange normality settling into a world that is clearly anything but. I don’t know why, I’ve always loved post-apocalyptic stories, but so often they’re done badly, this... is... not. This is carefully constructed, meticulously detailed, achingly patient, with its pacing, with its characters. Brimming with an underbelly of violence, the surface still teams with a soft compassion and desire. Now that all sounds rather fluffy I know, that’s because watching this I couldn’t help but feel enveloped by the love and ingenuity of the on screen family, as they strive and attempt to control what’s happening to them, but make no mistake, there’s gut wrenching elements here. It’s the play between the serene and the peril that makes this enthralling cinema. Edge of the seat stuff, on several occasions making me audibly gasp. The strength here though, as with all good films, is the characters, their defiance, their humanity, without caring for them you’ve got nothing, but I did care and willed them on through every marvellously terrifying twist. Right I’m off to check the stairs for loose nails.
8.5/10
