Here Alone (2016): Overview
Genre: Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi
Director: Rod Blackhurst
Writer: David Ebeltoft
Starring: Lucy Walters, Gina Piersanti, Adam David Thompson, Shane West
Runtime: 94 minutes
Release Date: Premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2016; theatrical release on March 30, 2017
Plot Summary
Here Alone is a post-apocalyptic survival drama centered on Ann (Lucy Walters), a woman navigating life in isolation after a deadly virus has wiped out much of humanity. The infection turns survivors into aggressive, zombie-like creatures. Ann lives deep in the wilderness, scavenging for food and using survival tactics like smearing herself with excrement to mask her scent from the infected. Her solitary existence is haunted by flashbacks of her husband Jason (Shane West) and infant daughter, who both succumbed to the virus.
Ann’s routine is disrupted when she encounters Chris (Adam David Thompson) and his teenage stepdaughter Olivia (Gina Piersanti). She reluctantly helps them, nursing Chris back to health. Over time, Ann and Chris develop a romantic bond, which creates tension with Olivia. The group decides to head north in search of safety, but their journey is fraught with danger and betrayal. A critical moment occurs when Olivia sabotages Ann during a supply run, leading to a climactic confrontation with the infected. In the end, only Ann and Olivia survive, leaving Ann emotionally devastated by the ordeal.
Themes
The film explores themes of grief, survival, trust, and human connection in a world stripped of civilization. It juxtaposes external threats from the infected with internal struggles among the characters.
Critical Reception
Here Alone received mixed reviews:
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 54% approval rating
- Metacritic Score: 59/100
Critics praised its atmospheric tension and Lucy Walters’ performance but criticized its slow pacing and lack of narrative depth. Some highlighted its focus on psychological drama over traditional zombie horror as a strength, while others found it underwhelming.