ELEVATION (2024)
4 stars
Signature Entertainment. Streaming 8th February
In a future world, creatures have appeared from sinkholes – and have possibly been down there for hundreds of years. Destruction and mayhem follows. For some reason they stop if you get above 8000 feet. Don’t know why (and the filmmakers don’t really either, except, um, plot contrivances).
Much of the world’s population is swiftly wiped out. Any survivors are advised to get to high ground. To go to above ‘The Line’.
It is 3 years after the initial invasion. The Rocky Mountains in Colorado. A young boy, Hunter (Danny Boyd Jr.), is wandering – he is some 260 feet below the advised threshold. Suddenly he hears noises and begins to run. Thunderous sound behind him. He just makes it!
He lives in the community of Lost Gulch Refuge, which is at a safe elevation. The little boy resides there with his dad Will (Anthony Maackie). Hunter has respiratory issues and this problem will be the driver for the plot.
Meanwhile Nina (Morena Baccarin), a research scientist type, has been trying to work out a way to kill the deadly invaders.
Because of his condition Hunter needs an oxygen machine at night – but, wouldn’t you know it, the filters for it are down to the last one. Will plans to go to the city of Boulder, trying to stay above ‘The Line’ where possible and get to a hospital there, in the hope of finding more.
If Nina could get back to her old lab she will have a better chance of finding a method to combat the creatures, which they call Reapers. She goes along with Will. Will’s friend Katie tags along too.
But where they are going is well below safety, plus the route will inevitably take them below the line at various points. They set out armed, though guns are ineffective against the murder bugs. There are tensions in the group – Katie has feelings for Will and Nina was responsible in some way for the death of Will’s wife.
Putting aside the slightly derivative nature of the central concept (think A QUIET PLACE), this is an enjoyable, well made sci fi thriller. Whilst the comparisons are inevitable this manages to be its own things with its own dynamics and builds strong tension. Admittedly the height thing is a bit arbitrary but works within the logic of the storyline.
Director George Nolfi, crafts several exciting sequences including one involving a ski lift and trying to get it up and running before one of the monsters attacks. Anthony Mackie makes for a solid lead and Moreno Baccarin is especially good playing against her normal glamorous image in other roles, as the down to earth, straight talking scientist trying to find a solution.
Stick around for a mid credits sequence.
Steve Kirkham
