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!

I didn't read anything about Population Zero before watching it and to be honest I thought it was a documentary for almost half of the movie before realizing it was a mockumentary. So credits to the actors in the beginning that made it look genuine. Acting is good when it doesn't look like acting. Once it looks like acting you're actually not a good actor, that's paradoxal but that's how it is. At half of the movie it was suddenly obvious there were acting scenes, so not a good job from those actors. But for a mockumentary I have to admit I enjoyed it. It's well made and the story is interesting. Population Zero is low budget but it isn't bad, certainly not for the way it's shot, with handycams, not really the kind of cinematography I normally enjoy.

In 2009, three young men are killed in a remote part of Yellowstone National Park. Dwayne Nelson walks in and confesses. Due to a constitutional loophole, he is acquitted and walks free. Five years later, documentary filmmaker Julian T. Pinder is given the material and decides to investigate.

It's a faux documentary. The premise is interesting although the law case should probably come first. It needs a little more explaining like I'm a complete idiot. The first half is fine although I would be lying if I say that it's entrancing. It has a sad mood and shows a world grinding down. The movie loses me somewhat with the fracking. I don't love its use. I'm more taken with this being an act of random madness or a madman bent on committing the perfect crime. As an idea, this is more compelling than its execution.

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.

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.