After We Leave

I was very taken by this subversive, slow-burn sci-fi about immigration and the Haves and Have-Nots. It has a well-executed, almost noir aesthetic (shot by Destroyer's Julie Kirkwood), solid acting, strong editing, and an excellent, brooding score. As a first feature filmmaker, Aleem Hossain has shown amazing potential with what he can do on a tiny budget. And seeing how many awards the film picked up at sci-fi festivals, it's clear the tastemakers agree this film is a noteworthy addition to the genre. Its ponderous tone may not be for the action-loving crowd - it's more Kelly Reichardt than James Cameron - but if you like thoughtful SF, definitely check it out.

This is one for movie-buffs and also for those with a few extra brain cells that have not been desensitized by dumb Hollywood. Although the basic premise is a simple one - futuristic dystopian Earth, run both by big business and small-town mafia, the story actually transcends a Sci-Fi to become more of a human drama and a tough-guy personal story of self-revealing. Though slow-paced there is a sort of genius in the way the screenplay slowly reveals personalities and their histories, like one of the slit-lanterns gradually uncovering the light and truth, with plenty of imagination and nuance, not only towards the audience but also to "solitary John", the central, hard-man character. There were so many opportunities to let violence rip and become cliché - but even this is disciplined and controlled, with some fulfillment in the dramatic conclusion. I'm sure that Aleem Hossain will make it big in future endeavors, provided he sticks to his principles.

Not a bad premise, but very badly executed. Acting was actually OK so the cast should be happy with their contribution, but the script is all over the place. Some parts simply make no sense (the biggest being the incredibly stupid and frustrating ending) whilst other parts are so ridiculously slow I needed to fast forward to remain even remotely interested.

It's just a bad movie. Not terrible, just bad. Give it a watch if you have nothing else to do, otherwise don't bother.

3/10 for the actor's efforts.

I watched this film at the Berlin SciFi film festival and enjoyed it pretty much! It's a slow paced drama, so don't watch it if your brain can't handle something more complicated than "Sharknado". I wish there were more scifi movies like this. Movies that make you think instead of giving you a headache. If something likes this bores you, then maybe you shouldn't watch dramas. Go watch your "Transformers" and "Avengers" crap. I can't believe, people are giving this film 1-star-reviews. No wonder we are getting punished with bull**it like "Rise of Skywalker" or "Star Trek Beyond".

The ending to this film was just bad. A twist that failed to contort into anything of worth.

It had an ok premise and lofty aspirations as an Indy film, but It just couldn't hit any of the marks. The storyline was predictable for all the bad reasons. The script lacked any punch. Visual effects were nonexistent and the acting was wooden at best.

Hossain is not a good director. He fails to bring the viewer into a future in any meaningful way. As has been noted elsewhere, the film looks set in the late 20th century. Nothing hints at when this takes place where space colonization would be commonplace.

Action scenes in this were just...lacking with subpar choreography and bad framing. So much more could have been done. The only positive is the soundtrack but even that gets bludgeoned with careless audio editing and low levels.

Watching this was a mistake. I should have read a book!