First off, this is not a horror movie. There’s no evil entity stalking the cast. The only otherworldly elements are in dream sequences (a cheesy ploy used in the advertising to mislead the viewer). Joel Edgerton and his family are sequestered in a remote cabin to protect themselves from a plague that’s desolated civilization. When another desperate family seeks refuge, the paranoia escalates. There’s an underlying sense of apprehension that pervades the film, but it never resorts to jump scares to frighten. When you realize that this is a suspense film about human mistrust, it’s easy to enjoy it’s subtle tension and continual discomfort. If you’re looking for a boogeyman, this is not your movie.
(3 / 5)