80
The cautious chemistry between the three characters means the atmosphere is never less than taut, and it provides the perfect launchpad for a tense, poignant finale that marks Fingleton out as a name to watch.
What are people saying?
What are critics saying?
80
Village Voice by Craig D. Lindsey
Directed with a muted tone but a scenic eye by Brit first-timer Stephen Fingleton, The Survivalist, like most postapocalyptic movies, is both dire and oddly poetic.
60
We Got This Covered by David James
Lean and mean, The Survivalist a realistically miserable apocalypse - and all the more terrifying for it.
83
This is a strangely believable dystopia, and all the more brilliant for it.
90
The New York Times by Jeannette Catsoulis
Impressively lean and rigidly controlled, “The Survivalist” achieves, at times, the primitive allure of a silent movie.
75
The Survivalist rewards with thoughtful cinematography — one fluid shot that effectively shifts the balance of power in a scene is especially noteworthy — and character development. But viewers looking for zombie attacks or thrilling chase scenes should go elsewhere.
80
Los Angeles Times by Katie Walsh
The camera work is meticulous and exquisite in its expression, creating a sense of tense foreboding throughout, linking characters and images with a creepy omniscience.
80
This is a harsh, unsentimental science fiction film, though the performances suggest small surviving flames of empathy and yearning amid the tough, practical attitudes.
80
Too slow for the mainstream, perhaps, this presents a disgusted worldview thats painstakingly plausible, however much we may wish differently.
80
The Guardian by Peter Bradshaw
The physical suspense is all but unbearable: a sexualised hunger, fear and need. Fingleton writes and directs with gusto and flair.