As "The Survivalist" (2021 release; 90 min.) opens, we hear a radio DJ talk about it being "Day 592 since the outbreak of COVID-19", and lamenting that the authorities put healthy people in camps, with dire results. We then are introduced to Sarah, a teenage girl who is immune to the virus, and hence needs special protection.. But Sarah and her friend are being chased by a crew of baddies, headed by Aaron. At this point we are less than 10 minutes into the film.
Couple of comments: this is the latest from prolific producer and at times also director (as in this film) of mostly horror fare, done on the cheap. Here he diverts slightly. For a few minutes, I thought this might actually be quite good, with the reference to COVID-19 and how messed up it got. But alas, when the story really gets going, it unravels pretty quickly. It all looks so.. amateurish! I almost fell off the couch when I realized that Aaron, the leader of the baddies, was played by... John Malkovich. Yes, THE John Malkovich. Say it ain't so, John! What the hell were you thinking? Have you really fallen this low? I guess so...Anyway, to say that this movie is beyond bad would be the understatement of the year.
"The Survivalist" was released straight on VOD last Fall. I saw it on Showtime Anytime the other night, taking a flyer on it. Wasn't worth it, and I cannot recommend this film in good conscience to anyone, not least to the Malkovich fans out there. But of course don't take my word for it, so check it out and draw your own conclusion.
