Population Zero

I went into this movie knowing nothing about it, really. It was on Hulu, and I figured it was going to be your standard found-footage horror schlock. I was mistaken! This is actually less 'horror' and very much more 'crime drama'. You will find yourself invested in the characters and the story, and there is no gore, monsters, aliens, etc. to be found. The film is very much about the characters and the crime.

One of the best things about this film is how it was shot and put together. Although I knew it was fiction, it seems very real, like a true documentary. The actors do a great job too. However, it's the mystery that will really reel you in and keep you captivated.

Definitely worth a watch!

This film makes no mention that it's a mockumentary and I find that predatory. Had I known it was fake I wouldn't have watched it. I was believing the story up until they receive a video. At that point the suspension of belief was blown and left me mad for wasting my time. If it was a real documentary I would have given it a higher rating but I feel like this is a bait and switch scheme.

This documentary was good..just the thing I enjoy..I was really into it when I cleverly started picking up on this is not really real Beth..hmm I am still shocked it is fake but I still wonder if it is real considering there were no credits for actors! Is it really based on fiction or reality? Regardless I did enjoy it...

The concept of a fake documentary is an interesting one. The whole time I was watching 'Population Zero' I kept thinking to myself, would I be enjoying this more if it was a real documentary? The answer is of course yes. The biggest problem with the fake side of it is that every time it tries to take itself seriously it just comes across embarrassingly. When it focuses on the story and mystery element it's fine, however when it tries to get heart-felt interview answers out of terrible actors it is nothing short of cringe-worthy.

The story is certainly the strongest part of 'Population Zero'. Quite an interesting plot line is developed and it drives the movie along well. Director and star Julian T. Pinder also quite impressed me. He had just enough charisma to carry the film. Some of the dialogue he had to work with wasn't particularly well written at times, so his acting can come across clunky on occasion. I don't think that was entirely his fault though. There's a half decent film hidden somewhere in here. Just some slightly better pacing and some script tweaks and this could have been something special.

This film is made documentary style and quite well. It's very slow burn style I liked and the scenes are beautiful. It's the story that can't carry the film. If I want watch TV for an hour, I don't wan't to watch fake documentary. Yes, it has some drama an thrill but it's only purpose seems to be there because it has to.

Wasted an hour for a very short story stretched unnecessarily. Slow burn is OK, but it must deliver. Four stars because it was technically well done.