A man and boy walk through a world that is dying after some unexplained event.
There are no animals, no power and it's fucking freezing. Many people have turned to violence and cannibalism to survive however the boy who was born after this event is being taught by his moralistic father to "hold onto the fire", their humanity, no matter how desperate their situation becomes.
This looks amazing. The world is made up of composite shots of real flood and fire footage. Every scene is haunting with the only strong colour being used in flashback.
Viggo does some of his best work as the solo father - desperate, devoted and selfless. The boy seems ethereal not of this world and he isn't really, born after the disaster knowing nothing of what was, he is looked upon in awe by others and the man refers to him as a god meaning that the boy is the only reason he hasn't perhaps killed people or done something much worse.
Every encounter with other people in this film is filled with fear or suspicion it seems so bleak but aren't we living like this now? we don't fear being eaten but what about being stabbed while doing your job driving a taxi, being raped while walking home across the park or simply being lied to and ripped off?
Ultimately this is about humanity and loved ones. These people being the reason to keep your humanity not because you fear being punished by a supernatural being but because of love.
YES - hell is other people, sometimes.
