Last Survivors

Title: The Last Survivors (15)

Year: 2014

Running Time: 91 minutes

Director: Tom Hammock

Cast: Haley Lu Richardson (Kendal), Booboo Stewart (Dean), Max Charles (Alby)

Notes: Won three awards.

Rating: 7

Thoughts:   A teenage girl defends the last well in a drought-ridden valley, against a relentless water baron.

If there is an apocalypse today and this is what the future looks like, I'm not sure I want to be there. This is bleak.

The valley looks stunningly empty, with rotting buildings and a real dystopian feel. There is a total sense of threat and suspense, and the lead is excellent. The bad guy's minions are a little straightforward, perhaps because a certain number have to be cannon fodder.

As is often the case they aren't that bright. In addition, it does risk being repetitive as Kendal goes to and from various places. It's also a little incredulous that she is so adept with weapons, not just the guns but the samurai sword that she wields like a veteran.

But it's not a documentary, it's a film. And a brutal one. It's well-acted and I found myself really cheering for Kendal at the end.

They do manage to stop that dreary section from going on too long and bring it together very well in the closing stages. It's certainly one of the better ones of its type.