A Post-Apocalyptic drama directed by Alex Alessi and Jeff Stewart follows the journey of lone survivor, Rory, as he travels listlessly across a landscape void of both life and hope. That is, however, until he stumbles across a man, his wife, and their daughter who breathes rumours of a place called Eden.
A disease has ravaged the world leaving behind a sparse population who must fight to survive. The exact parameters of apocalyptic scenario are a little hazy, with the timeline of the events not always mirroring the elements of the film. For example, certain elements of the mise-en-scene don’t reflect a world that has been dysfunctional for so many years. There appears to be electricity; an abundance of food and water, even alcohol. The characters clothes are extremely clean and radio stations are somehow still broadcasting. While these elements prevent the audience from being totally absorbed into another the filmic world, they are not entirely detrimental to the overall effect. Alessi makes the most of the materials available to him and still manages to create a compelling environment in which is narrative takes place.
As well as directing, Alessi also stars as the protagonist, Rory. He captures the aurora a man looking for a reason to hope after losing everything that’s important to him. Rory lost his brother to the plague early in the apocalypse. He lives with the guilt of his death. The film cuts between past and present, following the two boys up until the tragic death of Chris. There are some heart-warming moments between the pair with the flashbacks covering their travels together early in the pandemic. Gabriel Rush as Chris plays a compelling role against Alex Alessi as Rory as the pair capture a brotherly bond.
The introduction of Casper (Alex Emanuel) and his daughter Rosie (Catherine Blades) gives the film a sense of direction and purpose. The father and daughter make a huge sacrifice in order to go with Rory to find the mysterious Eden. Their journey contains drama, tension, danger and much more. The trio are threatened by a violent cult as well as the landscape itself, risking everything to cross a river that separates them from the haven of Eden. The fight scenes are well choreographed and executed with conviction. This really helps add to the realism of the film and gets the heart racing.
Another high point of the film is the cinematography by William Donald Kaufman. There are some stunning shots of the landscape captured through drones. The editing also helps maintain a level of excitement, utilising slow-motion and dramatic cutting that really adds to the drama. The music by Michael Vignola is a wonderful accompaniment with some beautiful motifs.
A story of risk, sacrifice, hope and loss – When Everything’s Gone is a classic Post-Apocalypse narrative. Watch the trailer below