“After the Rapture, those left on Earth will suffer in silence” – from the film title card
Synopsis – In a world where no one speaks, a mysterious, devout community hunts down a young woman named Azrael (Samara Weaving) who has escaped their imprisonment. Recaptured by its ruthless leaders, she is to be sacrificed to appease an evil that resides deep within the surrounding wilderness – but Azrael will stop at nothing to ensure her freedom and survival. From the seeds of this gritty, relentless parable of sacrifice and salvation comes an immersive, real-time, action horror tale from the visionary minds of Simon Barrett and E.L. Katz.
Samara Weaving (Scream VI, Ready or Not) stars as Azrael and is familiar to action and horror movie fans. Other fans have seen her acting skills displayed in comedy and different roles. Seeing her go from comedy (The Valet, with Eugenio Derbez) to horror and gore films will show how far her acting range goes, especially with this role where she does not speak. She goes through all types of physical danger and trauma, but her character is determined and relentless to get to those who changed her world.
The script by writer Simon Barrett (You’re Next, The Guest) is excellent, with limited dialogue for the characters (all but one), and is well directed by E.L. Katz (Small Crimes, Cheap Thrills) to keep the action moving deep in the forest with humans, the undead ready to pounce when they smell blood, and one good Samaritan. The work by Barrett and Katz in this film meets horror film fans’ favorite scenes.
Cast: Eero Milonoff (Border, The Good Driver, and upcoming Get Away), Natahan Stewart-Jarrett, Vic Carmen Sonne, Katariina Unt, Sebastian Bull Sarning among others
The film’s world premiere was at the SXSW Film & Television Festival last March, and it went on to other festivals, including the Fantasia International Film Festival last month. The film will now be released in Austin at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar and other theaters in the city. It will also be in select other theaters nationwide on September 27
Rated R • Length 86 min • Year 2024
Source: IFC/Shudder, SXSW Film & Television Festival