What Still Remains

Seriously, I believed the reviews and decided to watch this...waste of my time. Nothing really happened. It really is like a TV pilot episode with a low budget. It wasn't even really post apocalyptic. There was no climax, either. Basically the movie flatlined, then crashed and burned near the end. If this was a TV episode, I wouldn't even watch a second.

What Still Remains is well made, with a strong emphasis on character development and atmosphere. The post-apocalyptic world is convincingly portrayed, with a palpable sense of danger and uncertainty. The film also explores themes of faith, trust, and survival, and it does so in a way that is both thought-provoking and engaging.

One of the strengths of the film is the performances of the lead actors. Lulu Antariksa is excellent as Anna, portraying her character with a mixture of toughness and vulnerability. Colin O'Donoghue is also very good as Peter, bringing a sense of charm and charisma to his role.

However, while the film is well made, it does suffer from some pacing issues. The first half of the movie is slow, with not much happening in terms of plot. This may be off-putting for some viewers, but for those who stick with it, the film does pick up in the second half.

Overall, "What Still Remains" is a well-crafted post-apocalyptic thriller that explores themes of faith, trust, and survival. While it may not be for everyone, those who enjoy this type of film should find it to be an engaging and thought-provoking experience.

I'm not going to lie. I was lured in by the 100% Rotten Tomatoes and the 10/10 ratings here on IMDB. It should have been red flag enough when I saw Mimi Rodgers was in the cast about an end of the world apocalypse (The Rapture, anyone?)

Alas I didn't listen to my own gut feeling and trudged forward. 90 minutes later i sought my sanity and went through reviews more deeply. Blasted quick draw!

Generally speaking, the female lead does a good job with what she's given and Ben, the loyal security lackey, does fine. But everything else is basically regurgitated tropes from movies or TV shows that did it better, more creatively and with a sense of cinematic substance. This was like watching a school project.

I wish I had made the right decision and spent those 90 minutes cleaning my dirty oven, or staring at my couch, or hunting Sphinx wasps in 115 degree weather. As a note, I'm uncertain if Sphinx wasps can survive in 115 degree weather...or for that matter the 90 minutes of this movie.

Like I said earlier: I even came back to delve more deeply into IMDB reviews to see if I had missed something. Which I had. So this is my gift to you - that you might not miss this. Do NOT watch this movie. Rest assured, you'll be more entertained by my review than the movie. And if you're not entertained by my review, I believe I've proven my point.

Lulu Antariksa is the lead here and she is very good. She lives alone in a cabin and is self sufficient. Along comes a man who claims to lead a community of good people. It turns out to be a group of religious fanatics with overtones of A Handmaid's Tale. This material has been done better before in 1984 and Handmaid's Tale. It is worth watching for the performance of the lead actress. She should have a bright future. A 6.5/7

I have learned over the years that any time I see a review or reviews that continuously name the director and how great he is the red flag will now go up for me. Family, friends, production crew, all are told to hype the movie to get sales (and make sure you mention the director). Run away and save your money.