These Final Hours

21 January 2019

These Final Hours 2013

• Director: Zak Hilditch
• Based on the novel: no
• Cast: Nathan Phillips, Jessica De Gouw,  Angourie Rice, Daniel Henshall, Sarah Snook, Kathyrn Beck, Lynette Curran
• Personal “oh yeah him/her” reaction, i.e. have seen this actor in:
• none of them!
• Why? Good reviews. Sounded good.
• Seen: 19 January 2019      

       All of western Europe is gone. In Australia people are already dying, mostly suicide and murder. There are twelve hours left.

       James (Phillips) is on his way to the final party where there will be enough drugs and alcohol to make the end painless. But on his way he encounters the young girl Rose (Rice) who is desperate to find her dad. Together they drive off, encountering death, fleeing mad murderous rapists, and arrive at the party where hundreds of drunken, naked, drugged, orgiastic revellers try to forget the end. James finds his girlfriend, sends the dismayed Rose off to the pool and snorts a lot of coke. It can’t go well and it doesn’t.

       Of course it’s grim. It’s about the end of the world. It’s a serious attempt to deal with the psychology of people at the end. The acting is very powerful (keep an eye on young Rice!) but in spite of the strong story of James and Rose there is an undertone of contempt for people and a dose of religious redemption that lowers the impact.

4 * of 5