Last Survivors[1] (formerly titled SHTF) is a 2021 American thriller film directed by Drew Mylrea and starring Drew Van Acker, Alicia Silverstone and Stephen Moyer.[2] It takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where for the past twenty years Troy (Stephen Moyer) has raised his now grown son, Jake (Drew Van Acker), in isolation in the woods miles away from any remnants of civilization.
| Last Survivors | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Drew Mylrea |
| Screenplay by | Josh Janowicz |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Julian Amaru Estrada |
| Edited by | Bradley McLaughlin |
| Music by | David Deutsch |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Vertical Entertainment |
Release dates |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Plot
editTroy and his son Jake have been living off the grid for over twenty years in the wake of an apocalyptic event that destroyed much of civilization and left the survivors desperate. Troy has constantly drilled Jake on the necessity of assuming any outsider is a clear and immediate danger that must be eliminated; he kills and buries anyone who happens upon them. One day an outsider shoots Troy, and Jake must leave to bring back antibiotics. He sees a woman working outside a house, but can't bring himself to kill her as his father instructed he do with anyone he encountered. He sneaks into her house to find antibiotics and steroids and returns home.
Jake hides some food to make his father think they have less than they do so he has an excuse to go hunting, and he returns to the woman's home and confronts her; she tells him her name is Henrietta. As they talk it becomes obvious to the viewer that there has been no generalized apocalyptic event.
Troy becomes suspicious of Jake, and Jake starts to doubt Troy's accounts of the state of the outside world.
Cast
edit- Drew Van Acker as Jake
- Alicia Silverstone as Henrietta
- Stephen Moyer as Troy
Production
editPrincipal photography occurred in Butte, Montana and wrapped in January 2021.[3][4]
Reception
editThe film has a 73% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on fifteen reviews.[5]
Nadir Samara of Screen Rant awarded the film two and a half stars out of five.[6] Martin Unsworth of Starburst awarded the film three stars.[7]
Angie Han of The Hollywood Reporter gave the film a negative review and wrote, "it’s clearly a film with a lot on its mind, one that’s eager to grapple with the gnarled roots of its own appeal. But its reticence keeps it from exploring the more challenging, and possibly more rewarding, paths laid out before it."[8]
References
edit- ^ Jeremy Kay (June 25, 2021). "Vertical in talks on Cannes sales slate led by 'Last Survivors', 'Son Of The South' (exclusive)". Screen Daily. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
- ^ "Last Survivors + Director Q&A". Leeds Film. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
- ^ Hipes, Patrick (January 21, 2021). "Drew Van Acker, Alicia Silverstone And Stephen Moyer Topline Sci-Fi Thriller 'SHTF'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
- ^ "Alicia Silverstone, Drew Van Acker and Stephen Moyer to star in SHTF". Contactmusic.com. January 22, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
- ^ "Last Survivors". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
- ^ Samara, Nadir (February 5, 2022). "Last Survivors Review: Silverstone & Moyer Are Good In Sci-Fi With Wicked Twist". Screen Rant. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
- ^ Unsworth, Martin (October 30, 2021). "LAST SURVIVORS [FrightFest Halloween 2021]". Starburst. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
- ^ Han, Angie (October 30, 2021). "'Last Survivors': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
