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ELEVATION

3000 1688 PRADT
5-MINUTE READ

The world has changed. The only habitable places left for humanity are in the high mountains. Below 8,000 feet dwell the creatures that killed 95% of the human population less than three years ago. To save the life of his young son, a single father is forced to venture to an abandoned hospital with a scientist and a young woman. A film by George Nolfi, starring Anthony Mackie, Maddie Hasson, and Morena Baccarin.

ELEVATION

George Nolfi
(2024)

★★★½☆
 

Three years ago, the entire world was taken by surprise when mysterious creatures emerged from underground and quickly wiped out most of humanity before any nations or organizations could react. The survivors were those who were in areas at least 8,000 feet (2,438.4 meters) above sea level at the time. Since then, these survivors have scattered around the globe, living in self-sustaining communities. People have named these monstrous creatures “Reapers,” known for their impenetrable, armor-like scales. And so far, no one has managed to kill one.

Single father Will (Anthony Mackie) lives with his son Hunter (Danny Boyd Jr.) in Lost Gulch Refuge, located 8,460 feet above sea level, with a population of 193. Hunter suffers from a lung disease, presumably pulmonary fibrosis, and requires oxygen every night. Soon, Will learns that the oxygen filters Hunter needs are running low, and the only place that might have them in stock is Boulder Hospital. The problem is that the hospital lies below the “Line” of 8,000 feet.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a serious lung disease characterized by the scarring and thickening of lung tissue, specifically around the air sacs known as alveoli. This condition makes it increasingly difficult for the lungs to function properly, leading to shortness of breath and reduced oxygen absorption into the bloodstream.

To save Hunter’s life, Will tries to persuade Caltech researcher Nina (Morena Baccarin), whom he despises, to join him on the trip to the hospital, as she is the only person he knows who has encountered the Reapers and survived. Although Will blames Nina for the death of his wife Tara (Rachel Nicks), who was killed during Nina’s previous expedition to her old laboratory in hopes of finding a way to kill the Reapers, Hunter’s life is his top priority. Nina initially declines Will’s request, asserting that it’s suicide mission. But Will manages to convince her to accompany him by telling her that the hospital is near her old lab, where they could stop by to retrieve what she desperately needs to kill the Reapers.

Will and Nina are joined by Will’s friend Katie (Maddie Hasson), a rebellious young woman who insists on going with them to find a way out, as she doesn’t want to live like this forever.

Using Nina’s inventive device, which detects nearby Reapers through bioelectromagnetism by tracking the magnetic fields they generate — fields much stronger than those produced by any human or animal on Earth — the group manages to find a path to the mine in the mountain. Will plans to navigate through the mine without having to go below “The Line” to reach the hospital.

However, a problem arises when their path is blocked, and Will desperately needs the filters to save his son. They are forced to climb down to a lower level, which is not only below the Line but also requires them to venture through a 1,000-yard (914.4 meters) long tunnel. The danger is heightened by the fact that Reapers may be roaming down there, drawn to the CO2 from their breath like mosquitoes.

Directed by American filmmaker George Nolfi from a screenplay written by John Glenn, Jacob Roman, and Kenny Ryan, ELEVATION is a thrilling post-apocalyptic action film. While it may not be as impressive as A QUIET PLACE, the film stands on its own with engaging world-building and exciting chase sequences that are both exhilarating and memorable.

Even though Elevation doesn’t introduce anything new to the post-apocalyptic monster genre, I still enjoy Morena Baccarin’s performance. The narrative is a solid three stars, and any film she’s in automatically earns an extra half star from me. I also like that the filmmakers leave the ending ambiguous, allowing for potential sequel expansion. However, it’s unlikely that we’ll get to see one.

ELEVATION was theatrically released in the United States on 8 November 2024, by Vertical.


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