After an unspecified virus attacks humanity, a family live in a boarded up home. However, their life there is threatened when another family arrives...
It Comes At Night arrives with a lot of positive reviews behind it. It's a low-budget post-apocalyptic film, one that never shows the actual event, but instead focusing on the aftermath. In some ways it is similar to something like The Road.
Paul, Sarah and Travis live in isolation, Paul ruling with a firm but not cruel hand, determined to keep them safe. However when Will, from another family breaks into their home, it makes them decide to allow Will and his family, his wife Kim and son Andrew stay, sharing food and resources.
It's here that tension slowly develops. Travis, who has been having disturbing dreams, finds himself looking and dreaming about Kim. While Will is happy to help Travis develop his skills, Paul is always careful about everything.
As a result as the situation and characters develop, you are never really sure how it will all play out, which it does in a gut-wrenching manner. But all the while, in the background is the suggestion that that infected people or others trying to survive might turn up. Each time the characters go into the woods, the camera slowly moving, as you keep expecting something to happen.
It is credit to writer and director Trey Edward Shults that he keeps you on edge throughout. It may not be a truly original idea but he tells it very well, his script is good and his direction is better.
He's helped by a small but very good cast. Joel Edgerton plays Paul and is very good indeed. The others, Christopher Abbott, Carmen Ejogo, Riley Keough and Kelvin Harrison Jr. are just as good.
The cinematography from Drew Daniels adds to the unsettling atmosphere as does the score from Brian McOmber.
It Comes At Night might not be truly original, but it is a good film. It's billed as a horror film, but I'm not sure I would call it that. It's certainly an uneasy drama, one that keeps you on edge throughout.
I really like it a great deal and would recommend it as a film to be seen.
Rating - 4/5
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