Facing the Apocalypse, One Dilemma at a Time

Read Time:3 Minute, 59 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Year 10
–

Genre: Horror, Sci-fi, Thriller
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 37m
Director(s): Ben Goodger
Writer(s): Ben Goodger
Cast: Toby Goodger, Duncan Lacroix, Hannah Khalique-Brown, Luke Massy, Emma Cole, Alexander Anderson, King Gayle, Jessica Zerlina-Leafe, Tom Gaskin
Where To Watch: in select theaters and VOD on December 6, 2024

RAVING REVIEW: Welcome to the world of YEAR 10, where the apocalypse serves as a setting and a crucible for the human spirit. Director Ben Goodger takes us on a harrowing journey into desolation with a visual style that speaks louder than any dialogue ever could. A decade after an unspecified catastrophe, the film immerses its audience in a reality where survival hangs by a thread, and every silence is filled with the weight of existential dread.

YEAR 10 centers around Jake, played by Toby Goodger, whose performance bristles with raw power as he travels through the ruins of a fallen world. His daily battle is not just against the elements but against a new breed of humanity that has emerged from the ashes, more beast than man. When a cannibalistic gang violently upends his home, Jake's quest to retrieve essential medical supplies becomes a narrative about the erosion of ethical lines in the sand, questioning what it means to be human when humanity itself is in crisis.

This film breaks away from traditional narrative techniques, choosing instead to leverage the power of visual cues and the haunting landscape to tell its story. The lack of spoken words amplifies the characters' isolation, faces, and actions painted against a backdrop of relentless despair, making each scene a visceral experience of their struggle.

Charlie Goodger's cinematography is nothing short of demanding. It captures the harshness of the survivors' environment and moments of eerie beauty piercing through the gloom. Complementing this is a score by Mario Grigorov and Matt Hill, which twists through the film like a dark thread, pulling the audience deeper into the unfolding drama.

The depiction of society's breakdown is both chilling and reflective. It pits Jake’s moral fortitude against the raw savagery of his foes. This stark dichotomy entertains and provokes thought, placing the viewer at the heart of these moral quandaries. It’s a battle for the soul, played out in the shadowy confines of a world that has forgotten the light.

YEAR 10 is precisely paced, fusing high-stakes action with reflective moments that allow the audience to catch their breath and ponder the complexities unveiled. It balances the horror of its setting with the tenderness of its character arcs, particularly Jake’s evolution from lone survivor to symbol of hope, showcasing a narrative that champions the enduring resilience of the human spirit.

Beyond the survivalist exterior, YEAR 10 engages with themes of civilization’s fragility and the indomitable nature of the human spirit. Its minimalist approach is not a limitation but a powerful narrative device that turns the film into a canvas, inviting viewers to project their innermost fears and hopes onto the stark tableau it presents.

Benjamin Goodger's debut is a testament to the capabilities of independent filmmaking. It highlights how a tightly knit creative team can explore rich, complex themes with limited resources.

YEAR 10 is more than just another post-apocalyptic film; it explores what it means to retain humanity despite overwhelming odds. With its compelling narrative, stunning visuals, and thought-provoking themes, YEAR 10 is a welcome viewing for anyone captivated by the resilience of the human condition. It leaves its mark long after the credits roll, ensuring that the journey it offers is as reflective as it is exhilarating.

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[photo courtesy of BLUE FOX ENTERTAINMENT]

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