Tales about survivors in a post-apocalyptic world proceed to fascinate viewers in such streaming sequence as “Fallout” and “The Final of Us,” however “Homestead” seemingly marks the primary time such a situation has been used for a faith-based film. And it undoubtedly is the primary time a theatrical movie in that style has been designed because the pilot for a TV sequence — a undeniable fact that, when it turns into clear within the film’s ultimate minutes, might strike many viewers as a bait-and-switch trick.
Certainly, the TV sequence will get what can solely be described as emphatic promotion in these ultimate minutes, full with a kinda-sorta coming attraction trailer (not completely not like the one Kevin Costner employed on the finish of “Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1”). One of many lead actors seems on digital camera to instantly handle audiences about what lies forward, together with an on-screen QR code that the viewers can entry for extra details about persevering with the narrative (for an extra worth).
Sure, we’re inspired to whip out our cellphones proper then and there within the theater, irrespective of how a lot administration has discouraged such exercise. Insert joke right here about how the Lord works in mysterious methods.
This twist could be way more annoying, perhaps even infuriating, if “Homestead” weren’t so involving dramatically and spectacular technically. In reality, there in all probability are scads of people that received’t thoughts shelling out just a few extra bucks, if solely to see what number of of their favourite survivors — properly, proceed to outlive.
All of it begins when two brothers from an unidentified international nation in a ship off the coast of California set off a nuclear weapon, inflicting large injury and a number of deaths within the Golden State and past. (In a while, there may be fleeting point out of a cyber-attack on the nation’s energy grid, suggesting the siblings weren’t performing alone.) Ian Ross (Neal McDonough), a rich prepper for a cataclysm that may disrupt the social order, has constructed Homestead: a fortress-like mansion on a big unfold within the Rocky Mountains the place he, his household, and a dozen or so staff intend to journey out any upheaval. They’re self-sufficient — photo voltaic panels for energy, gardens to lift meals, and so on. — however even Ian acknowledges that, ultimately, they are going to want much more weapons, and individuals who know the way to use them.
Fortuitously, Ian took the precaution of contracting earlier than the large kaboom former particular service ops led by battle-toughened vet Jeff Eriksson (Bailey Chase) to offer further safety. However by the point Jeff arrives along with his spouse Tara (Kearran Giovanni), who has a vaguely outlined navy background, and their three kids, chaos has unfold by the surface world outdoors. More and more determined people are exhibiting as much as request, then demand, provisions. At first, Ian and his spiritual spouse Jenna (Daybreak Olivieri, who lately made fairly a distinct impression as a really, very naughty woman in TV’s “Yellowstone”) insist that “the federal government or FEMA” finally will set issues proper. Jeff expresses profound skepticism, and warns them to arrange themselves for the worst. Hassle is, there are conditions the place even a savvy tactician like Jeff might inadvertently understate potential hazard.
Working from a satisfyingly believable screenplay by Phillip Abraham, Leah Bateman and Ben Casica, which they tailored from the “Black Autumn” ebook sequence by Jeff Kirkham and Jason Ross, director Ben Smallbone (“Priceless”) does a nice job of amping the credibility quotient with sensible particulars and minor characters, together with an unseen ham radio operator who serves as a sporadic Greek refrain, an area bureaucrat who unwisely calls for that Ian proceed to observe deed restrictions and pay charges and a personality who wonders aloud why, contemplating the ability outages, they ever selected to purchase a Tesla.
It’s broadly hinted that Georgie (Georgiana White), an abused youngster adopted by Jeff and Tara, has powers of precognition — she drew an image of a mushroom cloud earlier than the plot-propelling explosion occurred — however disappointingly little is product of this. Among the many different dangling plot threads: A survivor who actually goes off his meds offering unreliable testimony, and a budding romance between Ian’s not-entirely sheltered home-schooled daughter Claire (Olivia Sanabia),and Jeff’s barely extra worldly son Abe (Tyler Lofton). Maybe we’ll see extra of all this within the TV spinoff.
Then again, one other plot factor planted halfway by cleverly pays off in a stunning, Bible-referencing method. Loaves and fishes, anybody?
The lead characters are well-cast throughout the board, with Chase and McDonough particularly efficient as advanced, unpredictable characters whose sporadic conflicts go a good distance towards growing a rooting curiosity in each males. Matthew Rivera’s putting cinematography and the film’s particular results wizardry are also main promoting factors, together with Daybreak Olivieri’s sympathetic portrayal of a girl who firmly believes that religion can transfer mountains. By the way in which: Her confidence is rarely mocked. That is at coronary heart a faith-based film, keep in mind?
