When the end is upon us, just who do you want to die with?
Meditative in its opening moments, Last Night on Earth is not your typical end-of-the-world film. This, of course, plays to its strengths as writer/director Marcos Efron invites viewers into a peaceful shambala of sorts before letting a bit of chaos into play. It is this balance which serves the film well, endlessly drawing audiences in before a strong sense of dread and doom fills the minds of the viewer.
This is not going to end well.
As the film begins, we drop in on two couples. The first couple, including a young son who is more than aware that his mother is upset by something, are not doing well. It sets the stage for the dread and drama which follows quite nicely as the other couple - Holly (Leven Rambin, The Hunger Games, Lost Child) and Ryan (Jake McLaughlin, The Day the Earth Stood Still, Safe House) - at a nearby campsite follow a dog and discover another camp. It is abandoned but seems to be the site of the first couple we were introduced to.
Further on into the woods, Holly and Ryan come upon Carla (Dee Wallace, Critters, Cujo, House of Dolls) who is leading people in prayer, asking for forgiveness for what the first couple has done: killed themselves. Turns out, some people just don’t want to wait for the end to come and would prefer to take matters into their own hands.
With a super large meteorite on a crash course for Earth only days and then hours away, the end is far too close for comfort and, as it turns out, Holly and Ryan have come to the woods in order to get away from all the other crazy humans to enjoy their last days communing with nature.
Thanks to this clan of believers tucked high in the mountains of Tennessee, things are not going to go too smoothly for them. Enter Gene and Gabby, who figure it's better to burn out than just wait for the end to find them. These two, recent recruits for the religious zealots, are nothing but trouble and put an end to Ryan and Holly’s plans for a peaceful passing.
And it turns this meditative piece into a thriller that is as disturbing as it is on point with just what might happen should something like this happen to the planet. Co-starring Sohvi Rodriguez (Animal Kingdom) and Shane West (A Walk to Remember), the film is endlessly disturbing and full of great performances which keeps the audience’s interest high and engaged, especially as the time ticks closer to doomsday and the film becomes a race against time.
The end-of-the-world thriller Last Night on Earth is now available On Digital and On Demand via Uncork’d Entertainment.
MPAA Rating: Not rated.
Runtime:
Director: Marcus Efron
Writer: Marcus Efron
Cast: Leven Rambin; Dee Wallace; Shane West
Genre: Sci-Fi | Thriller
Tagline: Tomorrow Isn't Promised.
Memorable Movie Quote: "This is an extinction level event."
Distributor: Uncork'd Entertainment
Official Site:
Release Date: April 19, 2024
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:
Synopsis: Faced with impending doom from a planet-killing asteroid, a couple flee to the hills of Tennessee to spend their last days together - but the chaotic breakdown of society disrupts their peaceful plans.
