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The Quiet Earth: New Zealand post-apocalyptic classic preys on the fear of being totally alone
With eerie empty street scenes akin to 28 Days Later, this 80s sci-fi flick follows a lone scientist spiralling into madness. And its psychological terror is as haunting as ever
TL;DR
- The Quiet Earth, a 1985 sci-fi film, depicted social isolation and existential dread decades before the pandemic.
- The movie follows scientist Zac, who descends into madness due to extreme isolation after a mysterious event causes humans and animals to vanish.
- The film's eerie empty street scenes are compared to '28 Days Later' and 'Sunshine', contributing to its liminal horror genre.
- Despite budget constraints, the film effectively creates a chilling atmosphere of loneliness, enhanced by strong performances and shots of emptiness.
- The film reflects Cold War anxieties and hints at the potential of New Zealand's film industry.
- Its cosmic ending, featuring a giant ringed planet, leaves the protagonist in confused awe.