Elevation (2024) Review!!

Synopsis – A single father and two women venture from the safety of their homes to face monstrous creatures to save the life of a young boy.

My Take – Indeed, the possibilities to explore the post-apocalyptic sub-genre of science-fiction are quite massive, even though, for some reason most writers and directors prefer to stick to convention.

Such is also the case of this latest from George Nolfi, who following his unique directorial debut, 2011’s The Adjustment Bureau, has mostly stuck to standard stuff, which despite the presence of an intriguing concept doesn’t quite know where to take it.

Acting more like a knockoff of A Quiet Place (2018), the film works well enough as a reasonably taut post-apocalyptic survival action thriller that makes up for its lack of original ideas with tight pacing and solid craftsmanship. However, it’s clear by the end that the makers have sequels on their minds and they don’t want to get into any of the rationales for this very specific world yet.

Yet, it might have been better if they hadn’t asked so many questions in the first place, because then it wouldn’t be so frustrating that by the end only one of them is answered. If you’re a fan of otherworldly action thrillers, this one might be worth a watch. But if you’re not into them, it won’t change your mind, as it is a solid entry in the sub-genre but doesn’t bring anything new to the table.

Set three years after an apocalyptic event that saw massive insect-like creatures called reapers erupt from the ground and wipe out about 95% of humanity. However, these creatures cannot surpass the 8,000 feet above sea level line, forcing the remainder of humanity to create settlements at high altitudes. The story follows Will (Anthony Mackie), who along with his recklessly curious 8-year-old son Hunter (Danny Boyd Jr.), lives in one of these settlements.

However, Hunter has breathing problems and needs an oxygen machine when he sleeps. And that machine needs filters, and Will is running out of them. In desperation, he hatches a plan to hike to Boulder and loot them from a hospital, mostly staying slipping below the line when necessary. Along for the ride are Katie (Maddie Hasson), the best friend of his deceased wife, and Nina (Morena Baccarin), a former scientist obsessed with the idea of killing these monsters once and for all. She just needs to get to her lab in Boulder to test out her theory on how to do that.

Here, director Nolfi takes the formulaic concept and maximizes the medium-scale resources to give the film a fairly expansive feel. Cinematographer Shelly Johnson takes full advantage of the magnificent Colorado scenery, while visual effects supervisor Nathan McGuinness’ nasty four-legged nemeses are seen enough to satisfy genre fans.

There’s a particularly exciting scene where a monster is barreling down on them and they have to get an old ski lift working. And there’s a bit in a mine shaft which is claustrophobic and intense. Sure, writers John Glenn, Kenny Ryan, Jacob Roman, and director Nolfi have crafted a sturdy feature that has very little to fault, but also not much to recommend beyond the fact that it’s structurally sound.

There is a directness to the screenplay and the story’s execution that is admirable, but there is a certain level of intrigue and darkness that it does not reach, thus the gravity of the situation doesn’t feel as heavy. Coupled with serviceable CGI, the film mostly comes across as a mild copycat rather than something compelling that stands on its own merits.

Performance wise, Anthony Mackie does a decent job, and makes for a very steady, average Joe hero type who has a cause worth fighting for. Maddie Hasson too is effective as the third wheel. Leaving Morena Baccarin to stand out as a character that swings between contrasting emotions without losing sight of her purpose. On the whole, ‘Elevation’ is a straight-forward sci fi action-thriller that delivers an entertaining, but formulaic adventure.