You get just enough character backstory to understand what's going on. No over-the-top heroism, no hysterics and no lingering on the terror such a situation would inevitably bring. No do-or-die situations and no narrow escapes, just grinding reality, scene after scene. No fight between good and evil resulting in a victor, just everyone making the best choices they can in that moment.
Remarkably, the opening scene is mundane; a man getting out of bed. We wonder why he's wearing a puffy vest and why his face and hands are scarred. We're left to imagine the cataclysmic event with only one short flashback scene coming later in the film. But only to explain the actor's scars, not to visualize the cataclysm.
Clearly, we're meant to see that human nature is the horror, not the event that brought out the worst - and the best in people. The excellent leading trio share the screen well and all get equal time. The supporting cast is sublime; not a character out of place, not a discordant voice.
I don't normally enjoy dystopian thrillers; mainly because of all the elements listed above that are lacking in this film. Maybe 'enjoy' is too strong a word; it's hard to enjoy seeing the worst in humanity laid bare. Still, this was so well done and so engaging, it deserves every one of those 10 stars.
Remarkably, the opening scene is mundane; a man getting out of bed. We wonder why he's wearing a puffy vest and why his face and hands are scarred. We're left to imagine the cataclysmic event with only one short flashback scene coming later in the film. But only to explain the actor's scars, not to visualize the cataclysm.
Clearly, we're meant to see that human nature is the horror, not the event that brought out the worst - and the best in people. The excellent leading trio share the screen well and all get equal time. The supporting cast is sublime; not a character out of place, not a discordant voice.
I don't normally enjoy dystopian thrillers; mainly because of all the elements listed above that are lacking in this film. Maybe 'enjoy' is too strong a word; it's hard to enjoy seeing the worst in humanity laid bare. Still, this was so well done and so engaging, it deserves every one of those 10 stars.