Homestead

In recent years we've seen studios bring their TV shows to the big screen either after the TV show has been seasoned or if the film is to premiere the program. Just as "The Chosen" was remade as a film, the TV show"Homestead" has been made into a film as well. Is this an effective approach? Only if it succeeds.

A nuclear bomb is detonated off the shore of Los Angeles, and the nation devolves into unprecedented chaos. Ex-Green Beret Jeff Ericksson (Bailey Chase) and his family, including wife, Tara (Kearran Giovanni), son, Abe (Tyler Loftin), escape to The Homestead, an eccentric prepper's Ian Ross (Neal McDonough) and his wife Jenna (Dawn Olivieri) fortress nestled in the mountains. As violent threats and apocalyptic conditions creep toward their perimeter, the residents of The Homestead are left to wonder: how long can a group of people resist both the dangers of human nature and the bloodshed at the doorstep? 

Others to round out the cast are Susan Misner as Evie McNulty, Jesse Hutch as Evan Lee, Kevin Lawson as Tick, Currie Graham as Blake Masterson, Olivia Sanabia as Claire Ross, Grace Powell as Molly McNulty and Manny McCord as Bing. 

This was grippingly directed by Ben Smallbone ("Priceless" '16, "Steve McQueen: American Icon" '17, "A Rush of Hope: Find Answers to Life's Questions" '20, "Christmas with the Chosen: The messengers" '21, "Johnny Cash: The Redemption of an American Icon" '22, "Fame: Fortunes, Failure, and Faith" '23, "Stoned Cold Country" '23) plus TV, music videos and shorts. This director was certainly able to get his actors to truly emulate their respective characters in which they portrayed, especially that of McDonough and Chase. Smallbone's staging and pacing were also spot on as well. It was effectively written by Jason Ross, based on his story as well. It being an upcoming  TV show, it was created by Ben Kasica and Jason Ross, based on the book, "Black Autumn" by Jeff Kirkham and Jason Ross. Considering Ross has no other writing experience in the feature film or TV platform, this was engaging and carried the premise that this could very easily happen in our near future which makes it that much more chilling. There were a few places of slowness and disjointedness around the middle of the film, but once that hurdle passed, it definitely became the film it was meant to be. This is the prelude of the TV show of the same name which should be starting soon--so it should, if they can keep up the momentum, be interesting, or will it evolve into another nighttime soap opera like so many shows out there?

If you're an apocalyptic film junkie, you'll revel with this movie. No, it doesn't show people wretching because of the radiation--I guess that hasn't kicked in yet, but does give a look at how people cannot handle any of their conveniences being cut off even if they know what's happening. It speaks of faith that needs to be tapped into at a time like this, if they have any chance of survival whether from the radiation or each other's chaotic behavior.

Out of 4 Stars: 3                                 Rated: PG-13                              112mins.