THE SURVIVALIST is a fairly effective, low key thriller set in a post-apocalyptic world. Being a low budget movie, we don't see much of this world; the enclosed setting is a cabin in the woods inhabited by the titular character, whose life is changed forever when two women show up at his home one day, looking for help. What plays out is occasionally intense but mostly a slow burner, and the surprise is that it works well despite not much going on. The film it most reminded me of was FAR NORTH, and while it's a far cry from the quality of that movie, it's still rather watchable. The performances are interesting throughout, with the actors going for a less-is-more approach, and Mia Goth in particular is a standout.

It's not always about the fittest, but about the strongest - in mind more than in body. And this movie with very little dialog if you made a statistic, as in lines per minute, will not be every ones deal. It just is too quiet and too slow, especially when it sets up the life of our protagonist. Of course there will be inciting incidents and how our main man will react to them.

It's tough to say he's likable, but he's pragmatic. And it's also tough to really put yourself into his shoes. because living alone for a very long time makes you see things - differently. And it's really about the way we live in our own world. Even when surrounded by others, we can only tell what we are feeling, not what others think. It's dirty and it never backs out on anything, which you'll either love or hate about it

This gritty low budget thriller came and went with very little fanfare . It was only through a favoured genre film website that I knew of its existence and made a point of tracking it down because the premise intrigued me . With hindsight I can understand the reason for its obscurity since it is something of a bugger to market . Social Darwinism in action where only the most ruthless have any chance of survival . Add to this a slow , low key pace with little dialogue with no musical soundtrack and you realise it's not something that's going to sell out the multiplex . That said the Brits probably do this type of sub-genre better than anyone else and it's a type of premise that makes this audience member appreciate what a wonderful and fragile thing civilisation is . Any story that makes the audience think can only be a good thing can't it ?

That said I wasn't entirely convinced by the cause of the apocalypse . Oil production ceases meaning the end of the world ? Not entirely sure if that's credible . In the real world the oil price has collapsed in the last few years and countries whose economies are dependent on it has slumped . Also some of these countries such as Iraq and Syria have been ravaged by ongoing civil wars yet these nation states will survive the present hellish conditions and prosper - hopefully with truly pluralist democratic governments - in the future . There's also the aspect common in the medium that despite having the opening scene set several years after the disaster it's only when the story starts that pivotal incident seems to magically happen

Writer/director Stephen Fingleton isn't too bothered about the cause and concentrates more on the effects of this disaster . More specifically he concentrates on character dynamics of a mother and daughter trying to find sanctuary in the refuge of a man who knows what it takes to survive and survival comes at a heavy and harsh price . One noticeable thing Fingleton acknowledges in this post apocalyptic world is that concepts like menstruation and unwanted pregnancy still exist , which is not something that's usually touched upon in these type of stories . Fingleton doesn't have to do much to create a bleak , desolate and if you've seen the director's short film SLR from a few years ago you'll notice has a talent for creating a gloomy atmosphere out of everyday landscapes

It's not a perfect film and I constantly found myself wondering why it only seems to be the three lead protagonists/antagonists who are seemingly capable of speech . If I remember correctly there are only five speaking parts in the entire movie . Some people will also find the dark subject matter just a little bit too disturbing and depressing to make it to the end of the movie . Despite this divisive tone if you appreaciate the end of the world type movies that doesn't involve armies of CGI zombies you'll find a lot to respect here