Here Alone

Ann is surviving alone in the woods during the zombie apocalypse. She's no Ripley, but she's not a scream queen either. Holing up in the woods of upstate NY was the idea of her survivalist husband in an effort to save them and their infant child (ominous tone). But Ann isn't a strict adherent to her husband's survivalist tutoring, shown especially when two uninfected strangers show up and present an immediate tension in the rationing of the already meager supplies. But also the tensions of three people living alone in the woods. The Road meets No Exit.

A nice touch to this movie, besides the slow reveal of the outcomes of the rest of Ann's family, is how there doesn't need to be a clear sign of zombie for the first half hour or so, merely suggestion and peripheral sightings. But the movie doesn't hold off from seeing the monsters for too long to make their absence distracting. The film doesn't quite cash in on its interpersonal tensions by the end, but overall an intriguing effort.

A highly infectious pandemic has turned most of the population into mindless, violent plague bearers. A woman survives alone in the woods, consumed by thoughts of her family, until some strangers appear.

This film is monumentally slow and a bit artsy. There are no set piece battles, but do expect lingering shots of people staring wistfully through car windows as rain drops thread their way down the misty glass.

There is very little action, the story is very simple and not a whole lot goes on.

I really enjoyed it though. I was in a patient mood when I watched this and it paid off. The characters are great, as is the acting and production. I enjoyed the way the back story was drip fed. Because the pace of the movie was so tentative, when the action did come it felt a lot more tense.

This film will not be for everyone, and I understand why other reviewers have said they found this boring. But I didn't. I would recommend this if you have the time to sit and enjoy it.

Hardly any violence, some nudity but it is all very innocent.

The narrative of a horror film does not have to have Bullitt's Mustang at full throttle every second or blood and gore fogging up the movie or TV screen. Films about people, how they survive, move forward, or at least try to do that are, for me, ultimately more interesting and more moving. With spare details to go on and information during flashbacks about the female protagonist, Ann, and her family (Jason and their baby) filling in, you are left to use your imagination about how an illness not named decimated the United States. Ann has been on her own for a year when we meet her and we watch her daily routine just to stay alive and away from creatures who were once human. Eventually, she meets two other survivors who fill up some of her loneliness, but inevitably with human beings and all of their quirks and hidden emotional turmoil, events shift rapidly.

If you can't watch stillness, listen to the sounds of nature, and let yourself be immersed, you won't be able to watch this film. Just know it's the stillness and beauty of the remote area juxtaposed with some horrifying moments that brings out the intensity of trying to survive day by day in this post-apocalyptic world. The actors who bring these characters to life are strong, mostly because they seem like real people, not actors trying to "be" real people. I cared about all of them and enjoyed the ride immensely.

This genre bender is tough to categorize. While the setting is post zombie-apocalypse(ish) this is certainly no horror or scifi film. Even drama doesn't really fit.

What it is:

A solid bit of cinematography on a low budget.

Reasonably well written with believable characters.

Well acted by all 3 of the main characters.

What it isn't:

Well paced. While the writer and/or director was obviously aiming for a slow burner this smolders briefly before going out. The plot is simplistic...survive.

Interesting. While it is(in my opinion) believably written, the biggest threat in the zombie-apocalypse seems to be death by boredom.

Engaging. While the characters are reasonably realistic, I really was hoping some zombies would show up to relieve the monotony.

Enjoyable.

All things considered, I cannot specifically state that this is a bad movie...it's just not a good one. I can't say I really regret seeing it, but I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on it either.

Believable characters, realistic action and an interesting story, all delivered in the right pace. Very well directed in all, barely any of the dreaded shaky cam low budget productions seem to like so much, the shots of nothing to set the mood are kept in check and the audience is spared any cheap jump scares.

Even the score supports the images, which is something a lot of filmmakers struggle with. Dialogue is relatable, use of profanity appropriate.

Here Alone is definitely worth a watch.