Arcadian

There are genres that I like, and those that I find difficult to watch, and even though "Arcadian" is considered a horror film, I feel, because it's not the typical 'slasher' film, I would find it a bit more palatable. I couldn't help but think of the film, "The Omega Man" '71, or its reboot, "I Am Legend" '07 when viewing this since they, too, are apocalyptic films including hideous, vicious creatures that come out at night, but this film might have been a homage to those films.

In the near future, life on Earth has been decimated. Paul (Nicolas Cage) and his twin teenage sons, Thomas (Maxwell Jenkins) and Joseph (Jaeden Martell), have been living a half life--tranquility by day and torment by night. When the sun sets, ferocious creatures of the night awaken and consume all living souls in their path. One day, when Thomas doesn't return home before sundown, leaving Joseph home, Paul chooses to leave the safety of their fortified farm to find him before the creatures arrive. Just as he finds his boy, a nightmarish battle ensues and Paul is gravely wounded. Now the twins must devise a desperate plan for surviving the coming night and use everything their father has taught them to keep alive. 

Others to round out the cast are Sadie Soverall as Charlotte, Samantha Coughlan as Mrs. Rose, Joe Dixon as Mr. Rose, Joel Gillman as Hobson and Darie McMahon as militant farmer. 

This was intensely directed with grit by Benjamin Brewer ("Beneath Contempt" '11, "The Trust" '16) plus shorts and music videos. As this film builds the frenetic feel it holds, the audience is truly bracing themselves in what is going to happen around each and every corner. Even though he only has two feature films under his belt, his shorts and videos has certainly also served him well, because the pacing and staging in each scene simply drags one through that proverbial keyhole wondering what's waiting for these characters. This filmmaker will receive more work for sure. It was interestingly written by Michael Nilon ("Braven" (story) '18). As stated in the preface, the two aforementioned films came to mind after seeing this film because of them being apocalyptic with deadly creatures appearing only at night. Certainly the stories were different albeit, but the other aspects were showcased. This script was tight, cohesive and fast-paced. It was interesting that there was nothing mentioned about where these creatures came from or any other origin, but, who knows, maybe there's a sequel? But, even though the origin wasn't present, the keeping its audience on the edge of their seats aspect made up for the lack of origin in spades. And considering the lack of experience this writer has at all, this story was honed well from first frame to last. What will make this writer even better will be to receive more work, but, unfortunately Hollywood being the business that it is,if this doesn't profit, he probably won't have that chance. 

If the horror genre is your favorite, this will certainly win you over, but even if you're not, like me, it will pull you in due to the intensity and clever writing one doesn't see in the typical 'slasher' film. Cage and the supporting cast were believable as was the directing with his ability to hold your attention with the grit he showcased. What a roller coaster ride!

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                         Rated: R                                            92mins.