Azrael

There is only one positive thing about this film. The cinematography, but only a quarter of it. They reallly get you in the first act with this Resident Evil 4 aesthetic. After that, it's like they only had budget for a n00b of a camera operator.

However, the more we get into the story, if that's what you want to call it, the more comically ridiculous it gets.

For example, the whistling. That's really the next best way to communicate? There have been movies that I'm use sign language but it feels unnecessary to the narrative. But in this film, it is the perfect time to use some sign, and yet we are stuck with these idiots whistling at each other like some choo choo trains.

And it leaves a lot up to the imagination. These things do the film no favors. Nothing is explained and that is fine. I guess. But it also keeps the viewer at arm's length. How I am supposed to care about the lead when she is just in one after another of the same situation. Yeah, we get it: she's scrappy.

It was also hard to stay abreast of who was who without names, dialog, etc. I can't even tell you if there was an "us" or a "them".

The movie just seemed there. And it tried to justify its there-ness with the mostly non-verbal contrivance at its core. But while the silence in A Quiet Place has its reasons, I just don't get it here.

I got what the film was going for by the end of the film but, seriously, would've been a lot less frustrating had the film actually told us a bit about what was happening before they decided to hit is over the head with it.

The only thing told from the beginning is that everyone is mute, because of the apocalypse and their sins of speech or something like that. That's all you get. Other than that, it's up to the audience to piece together the, once you figure it out, incredibly simple storyline. And it is just that, a simple film. Nothing note-worthy here. Just some decently staged gory moments, and some decent acting. The ending is incredibly predicable, to the point of you knowing what's going to happen long before you get there. It's pretty run of the mill horror here.

Overall, I couldn't recommend spending money on it. It was watchable and kept my interest, but if I had paid for it, I would've been pretty disappointed. It'll be on Shudder for free in no time, just wait for it til then.

2 relious cults out of 5.

This is a well put together movie. The production, sound and lighting are all pretty strong. The acting, despite a word not being uttered, is good. Samara weaving was excellent as the determined and gritty lead. I'm keen to see her in action with actual lines.

The dialogue free story moves at a fair pace without ever truly grabbing you by the balls. It's occasionally gory/bloody and unnerving but is never jumpy or particularly frightening.

There are small breadcrumbs of clues smattered around about the post rapture apocalyptic world the movie is set in - but there's a lot left up to your own interpretation and many won't get past that.

I'm still most confused how such a fine looking truck decked out with all the mod cons pops up out of nowhere. Especially driven by a relatively normal guy (that actually speaks)!?

A better, more polished effort than many I've watched on shudder but no classic by any means.

If you've seen the previews, you know what it's about already. The film doesn't have any defined story line besides kill and let be killed. If I were in this setting, I would not survive because it seems like you have to be an ultra trail runner to escape bullets and monsters. For those who glut for gore, this is a solid 7/10. If you enjoy slow scare, this is also a solid 7/10. If you've seen plenty of horror films, the ending was predictable that the film is only a 4/10. Am unsure if writers and directors intend for a lesson or symbolisms but this film doesn't reveal any till the very last scene. I can go on about the metaphors but that was not why the film worked in terms of entertainment. It's a typical horror film.