Survive (2024) - The world has Gone Sideways. What Happens When Oceans Vanish?
Imagine a world where the oceans disappear overnight, leaving behind an arid wasteland teeming with dangers.
That’s the grim premise of Survive (2024), a post-apocalyptic creature feature that thrusts its audience into a landscape of desolation, survival, and monstrous crabs.
Directed by Frédéric Jardin on a modest €5 million budget, this film promises thrills but delivers mixed results.
Let’s dive deep (pun intended) into its world, characters, and execution to see if Survive makes a splash or sinks like a stone.
Setting the Scene
The Premise—A World Turned Dry
When Julia and her family set sail to celebrate her son’s birthday, a violent storm shifts their fate.
Upon awakening, they find themselves stranded in a barren desert.
Earth’s polarity reversal has drained the oceans, leaving behind an unforgiving world crawling with monstrous creatures.
Stakes That Hit Home
Julia’s plight resonates with primal fears: protecting one’s family against insurmountable odds.
But as tragedy strikes, she’s left to fend for her children in an alien world filled with flesh-hungry crabs.
The Good, The Bad, and The Crabby
What Works in Survive (2024)
Bold Concept
The idea of oceans vanishing is both unique and terrifying.
The premise is a fresh spin on environmental disaster movies, raising questions about humanity’s resilience in extreme conditions.
The Creature Design
The film’s highlight lies in its creature effects. The final act, where crabs emerge en masse, is genuinely spine-chilling.
The monstrous crabs are grotesque and memorable—think Arachnophobia, but with pincers.
Frantic Last Act
The last 30 minutes of Survive deliver on its promise of terror.
The pacing quickens, and the stakes soar as the creatures close in.
What Falls Short?
Weak Dialogue
Let’s not sugarcoat it—the dialogue is atrocious.
Lines often feel wooden, with clunky exchanges that detract from the tension.
It feels as though the script was a rough draft hastily turned into shooting material.
Underwhelming Characters
Characters should anchor a survival story, yet Survive stumbles here.
Julia and her family feel underdeveloped, making it hard to root for them.
Emotional moments fail to land because we hardly know—or care about—their struggles.
Pacing Problems
The first third is a drag, with scenes on the boat adding little to the plot.
The meandering setup bogs down the film, and you might find yourself checking your watch.
A Deep Dive into the Technical Aspects
Direction by Frédéric Jardin
A Mixed Bag
Jardin’s direction oscillates between atmospheric and uneven.
While the desert shots evoke a sense of desolation, tonal shifts disrupt immersion.
It’s as if the film can’t decide if it’s a creature feature or a family drama.
Writing by Alexandre Coquelle and Mathieu Oullion
A Wasted Premise
The script had potential but flounders in execution.
Producers Schwartz and Stanimirovic saw promise, but somewhere along the way, dodgy dialogue and poor characterization derailed the vision.
Budget Constraints
H3: Doing More with Less
Shot in just 20 days, Survive stretches its modest budget admirably.
While some CGI moments feel low-budget, practical effects like the crab creatures compensate for the shortcomings.
Comparing Survive (2024) to Genre Peers
How Does It Stack Up?
Versus Creature Features
Fans of Tremors or Cloverfield might appreciate the creature designs but will likely find Survive lacking in wit and heart.
Versus Disaster Epics
Films like The Day After Tomorrow balance spectacle with emotional depth.
In contrast, Survive offers a striking premise but falters in execution.
Key Takeaways from Survive
Strengths to Celebrate
- Innovative Premise: The concept of vanishing oceans is fresh.
- Creature Design: The crabs are genuinely terrifying.
- Atmospheric Visuals: Desert landscapes are haunting.
Weaknesses to Critique
- Dialogue: Stilted and often unintentionally comedic.
- Characterization: Lack of depth and relatability.
- Pacing: A sluggish start undermines the tension.
Should You Watch Survive (2024)
If you’re a die-hard fan of creature features and can overlook tonal inconsistencies, Survive might entertain you.
But if you’re seeking a well-rounded story with emotional depth, you might want to pass.
Conclusion
Survive (2024) is a mixed bag. While its premise and creatures offer intrigue, the film ultimately struggles to rise above its flaws.
Still, it’s worth a watch for fans of the genre curious about its ambitious concept.
Sometimes, surviving a movie isn’t about it being great—it’s about embracing its imperfections.
A couple celebrates their son’s birthday in the middle of the ocean on their boat.
A violent storm hits and it brings up hungry creatures from the depths and they fight for their survival.
Movie Credits
Dive into the world behind the curtain, where the brilliant minds and creative souls of Survive brought this masterpiece to life.
Unravel the threads of dedication and ingenuity woven by a cast and crew whose passion knows no bounds.
Prepare to be amazed by the talent and vision that turned mere ideas into an extraordinary reality.
Actors
Andreas Pietschmann, Émilie Dequenne, Lucas Ebel, Arben Bajraktaraj, Lisa Delamar, Olivier Ho Hio Hen
Crew
Frédéric Jardin, Matt Alexander, Nicolas Errèra, Pierre Aïm, Ludovic Naar, Frantz Richard, Marc-Etienne Schwartz, Marc Stanimirovic, Reynald Bertrand, Camille Toubkis, Pierre Quefféléan, Élisabeth Bornuat, Sylvie Ferry, Théo Richard, Kenza Salaheddine, Zahira Souhair, Michaël Viger, Florian Cornet, Thomas Lascar, Anais Letiexhe, Hamza Morchid, Adrien Navez, Alice Prouvost, Georges Demétrau, Gilles Conseil, Abdellah Ouksih, Brahim Amarak, Paulin Amato, Aziz Lechgar, Imad Rchich, Abdelghami Rifki, Magali Magnan, Jaouad Chajai, Joséphine Winocour, Clementine Oudot, Bastien Sirodot, Cédric Iland
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Survive (2024) - The world has Gone Sideways
