The Remaining

This movie is beyond bad. Poor acting, bad screenplay and scripts, no effects, no props... there is NOTHING good in this movie except for the intro of the Rapture. And the ending was just absurd. It's like they changed the director after the fist 20 minutes and killed the movie. It's been a while since I've last watched something that bad.

It's wedding day for Skylar (Alexa Vega) and Dan (Bryan Dechart). Suddenly, multitudes of seemingly random people drop dead. The couple and others make their way in this apocalyptic world.

This is a horror movie for Christians. The Rapture is their favorite horror subject matter. I do like that the Rapture happens multiple times and the earlier appearances of the Dementors. Multiple Raptures allow for drama in the discovery and holds out the potential for escape. The first Dementor attack is solid horror. Sadly, the Dementors are not good CGI which culminates with a laughable Dementor-filled world which looks so cheap. Quite frankly, the Christian part of the horror movie is too preachy. I guess that they just can't help it. The best Christian films don't hit the nail on the head so hard.

Unlike others I did know this was a Christian film company before I watched it. Saw and joined the FB page awhile back and have been looking forward to seeing it for awhile. Let me state I am not a practicing Christian. I have some background though and know the book of Revelations. In fact I used to say it would make a great horror movie.

I was impressed by the movie as a whole. There was a bit of preachiness to it but I mean it's a movie based on a book of the bible, how could it not be preachy?? I didn't expect to recognize any of the actors, figure they would draw from some secret database of Christian actors so I was surprise to see Alexa Vega (Repo/Devils Carnival) and the kid who played Aaron on Vampire Diaries. They both did well as did the other actors. Much better then I expected. As for the writing there were a few times something felt off but how can I fault the writer, I mean it was god right? I guess they had to condense for the length of a movie because if I remember right all this happens in 7 years of trials & tribulations in the bible. Also thought a nice touch would have been the survivors having to accept a mark in order to get food and supplies. Overall though it held together and kept me entertained. Judging it as a "Christian Horror" I'd give it a 9/10 because it's much better done and less preachy then anything else claiming that title. Judging just as a Horror or Disaster movie I'd give it a 6/10 so I'm going to average it out and say 7.5

Confirms one reason I am not religious- terrorizing people because they don't believe in you or praise you. Seriously/ it just helped me double down on no religion although to be fair that was me previously.

The movie itself was okay but the message is a lot. Good people- flawed- but good- fighting for their lives and terrorized. So yes that is entertaining but the acting and the intent is what bothers me. Believe what you want but in what other situation would you ever follow or think someone is good if this is how they handle rejection. Many men and women have died for others- they did not demand you believe in them or else.

An 'iPhone is a central character', 'found footage', 'shaky cam' attempt at the rapture. I personally derive nothing from the subject matter being a devout Athiest, so I treated it for what is was: a work of science fiction. I suggest however you attempt to view through the (luckily) few 'christian product placement' moments and you might actually enjoy it without too much cringing. Unfortunately this movie is peppered with the clichés of its genre and offers nothing new. 'Noah', 'Left Behind' and others; cinema is the new church and you are the unwitting participant in Bible study Hollywood style. Rant aside, The Remaining might appeal whether you're a believer with an express ticket to bliss, or overlooked with the rest of us poor saps.