Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Last Night on Earth’

7/30/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Jake McLaughlin and Leven Rambin as Ryan and Hollly in Marcos Efron’s LAST NIGHT ON EARTH. (Photo Courtesy of Conley Entertainment Group.)

If there is one particular type of film that has captivated us for decades on end, it is the ‘end of the world’ movie. Wherein a lethal virus wipes out mankind or transforms them into hideous creatures that roam the world. Or they feature some kind of cataclysmic event, wherein civilization collapses and/or is wiped out on a moment’s notice and well… we enjoy these films because they are escapist in nature and give us all a chance to ponder upon a dark topic. Specifically, what would we do and who would we become if the end times were nigh? Because there’s an odd comfort in thinking about how we would endure and overcome the worst possible moment for our species.

But over the past four years, the structure and the tone of these films have changed greatly, and rightfully so. Because in many ways, we were facing a great unknown with Covid, since it could have wiped out all of humanity if it turned out to be something more, and some of the imagery we’ve seen in these films, such as empty cityscapes… became an outright reality. Which means these films are oddly reflective now and they are working to help us process the fact that we did indeed stare down the end, since the virus could have claimed so many of us, and they are helping us learn from such an experience. As evidenced by a brand-new film that is available on demand in Last Night on Earth.

Which are feats that this film accomplishes by introducing us to a couple in the midst of a unique crisis. For Holly and Ryan are on the road and are nervous and eager to be alone. Simply because… the end of the world has arrived. For a massive, asteroid, one larger than the one that killed the dinosaurs 66 million years ago, has been jarred loose and is on its way to Earth. Which prompts this couple to try and find some level of meaning at the end of everything. But alas, their attempts to find that are constantly interrupted by visitors at their campsite and a creepy couple named Gene and Gabby, who continue to bother them with odd requests and showcase unsettling behavior. All of which leaves this couple wondering if they will find what they seek as the last night on earth draws near.

Which at first glance, doesn’t appear to be a plot that teaches us anything about the nightmare we recently remerged from, and some of the moments in this story, further reinforce that. Since there are echoes here of the early days of the pandemic, complete with news reports that speak to a growing horror and emergency alerts that resemble the lockdown notices we received on our phones. Not to mention, the helplessness we felt in that moment is recreated here, as is the ugly that humanity put on display, since fighting and agenda were the order of the day over unity and kindness. Which makes this movie seem early on, to be akin to its own ‘What if?’ story, one that would explore what would have happened if the worst-case scenario played out instead, regarding Covid.

But that’s the point. In that, writer/director Marcos Efron wants us to be uncomfortable and wants us to be plunged back into that moment, to better understand what Holly and Ryan are searching for, which were the same things we searched for during the pandemic. In that, they want to find the beauty in the world that exists alongside the chaos, the peace and the wonder of what we have in the moment and the power of the moment. Because that is what so many of us found to try and push away the worry and the horror and so many of us came out of the pandemic for the better. For we found purpose, we knew we were granted a second chance and that makes this a shockingly uplifting apocalypse film… one that goes that route for one important reason. Because we are scared right now, and we are searching for meaning and joy again and well… it’s still there.

We are just ignoring it and need to refocus on that hope, that second chance that we were given and that makes this a beautiful and powerful film. One that truly does ask us to cherish the moment and find beauty and lift it up to drown out the dark, and that makes for a fascinating watch, one that really does take you on an emotional ride thanks to its powerhouse message and fine acting to sell the gravity of well, everything in this film. With Leven Rambin (Holly) leading the charge in such matters since her vulnerable performance helps to draw us into the story and has us rooting for her when Dee Wallace (Carla) and Shane West (Gene) shake up her world with ideas that might hamper her search for beauty at the end of everything, and truly… this is a film you should watch as soon as possible. Since it does accomplish its mission and reminds us of what matters during these trying times, and the trying times ahead.

Watch ‘Last Night on Earth’

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