Elevation, 2024.
Directed by George Nolfi.
Starring Anthony Mackie, Morena Baccarin, Maddie Hasson, Danny Boyd Jr., Shauna Earp, Drexel Malkoff, and David Malkoff.
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.
For some reason, the indestructible Reapers who incited the apocalypse in Elevation and eliminated most of Earth’s population within three years do not travel above 8,000 feet, hence the title. This means the remaining survivors hide in the Rocky Mountains, occasionally navigating through hazardous terrain and dodging these metallic beasts whenever pressured into a much-needed supply run. Several encampments are spread out over the area, communicating through radio transmissions.
Director George Nolfi (working from a screenplay by John Glenn, Jacob Roman, and Kenny Ryan) isn’t concerned with answering the question of the Reapers’ mysterious avoidance of a precise height. Roughly 80 minutes into the movie, a character actually wonders this out loud, only for someone else to say no one knows. This is not a gripe or a complaint because it shows further that the filmmakers care more about peeling away layers and developing the characters rather than getting caught up in building monster lore out of generic-looking creatures.
They also trust that the concept is enough to carry the suspense and tension, crafting clever action sequences high (a horizontally moving left) and low (underground in tunnels where some pathways dip below the safety line.) The visual effects aren’t half bad for a film presumably made for a low budget.
At the center of Elevation is Anthony Mackie’s Will, a father to young Hunter (Danny Boyd Jr.), who frequently needs an oxygen machine that burns through its filters fast. This means it’s time for him to trek across the area to one of the only places left that might have more, a hospital that physicist Nina (Morena Baccarin) is familiar with. She is also responsible for the death of Will’s wife on a mission that went sideways, trying to create something that could damage the Reapers. As such, Will holds an understandable grudge against her and pressures her to come along. He is also protective of the bored and lonely but headstrong and resourceful Katie (Maddie Hasson), who insists she come along even if he disapproves.
Nina joins the group, more so because she hasn’t given up hope on finding a way to craft a magic bullet that would have an advantageous effect on the Reapers. From that, a fascinating observation comes into play: scavenging for whatever remaining supplies only prolongs the inevitable. For people to truly have hope, some miraculous breakthrough must be made about what will hurt these creatures.
This personal drama is brought up between the action and beautiful mountainous sights. Initially, these people constantly bicker with one another and feel forced and shoved into the story. However, it eventually builds to multiple payoffs, illuminating much about these individuals’ guarded or broken personalities, once again reinforcing that Elevation pleasantly has its focus slanted toward the human element.
Elevation also builds to a bigger story and a potential sequel (there is even a mid-credits scene), although that payoff plays into the more familiar side of the story. Honestly, there isn’t much need for a sequel, which would theoretically start deconstructing where the monsters came from, what the issue is with 8,000 feet, and more that doesn’t sound as compelling as humans not only working through drama but desperately searching for a way to hurt the Reapers. What’s here is small-scale, creative, tense, effective, and rewarding enough.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★
Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association and the Critics Choice Association. He is also the Flickering Myth Reviews Editor. Check here for new reviews, follow my Twitter or Letterboxd, or email me at MetalGearSolid719@gmail.com
