*From Wikipedia: No One Will Save You is a 2023 American science fiction horror film written, directed and produced by Brian Duffield, starring Kaitlyn Dever. The film is unusual among features for having only five words of dialogue over a 93 minute runtime.
We’ve all been there- that moment when you’re binging shows, peacefully hiding from the outside world, suddenly you hear your parents yell “come down and greet our alien visitors”. Ugh so annoying. No wonder Brian Duffield doesnt want to talk to them.
Brian Duffield is known for his emotive script direction and this film is no different. His “show dont tell” approach is for sure refreshing but can be grating at times. The lack of dialogue felt forced at certain points, mainly the scenes in the town. Due to this, there were times where the acting felt aimless. Thankfully this does not apply to lead actor Kaitlyn Dever, who also serves as EP.
Kaitlyn plays Brynn, our earthbound final girl. Yes, final girl, as this is a scifi-horror film. Brynn is a shut-in, who lives a solitary and anxiety-riddled life. As someone who also doesn’t like going outside i was interested in what did Brad want to say regarding this topic. Was it all an allegory for covid(oh god please no)? Was it all an allegory for modern alienation. Maybe the allegory is more metaphysical as early on in the film we learn her mother and her best friend have died. Later we learn in a flashback she killed Maude, her best friend, after an argument outside her home as a teen. This explains why the townspeople are hostile towards her when she ventures into town. It may also explain why Brynn has chosen to isolate herself. This is the punishment she has decided to place upon herself.
She is forced to leave her sanctuary after an alien attack on her home. Interestingly, the aliens have your classic “gray” design. Perhaps it was the filmmakers’ love letter to sci-fi of yesteryear or perhaps it was a decision made with budget constraints in mind. Either way i did have mixed feelings regarding the design. There are moments early in the film where you cant see the alien which leads to an interesting horror angle, but is quickly abandoned in favor of your traditional sci-fi fare. What is new about our extraterrestrial antagonists is how they use telekinesis and the parasites they host. It is implied the parasites are the real invaders when they also take control of the townspeople. Something that Brynn fights off during the last act of the film.
Actually, Brynn fought off a lot all things considered. Kaitlyn plays her as a timid recluse in the beginning, by the end of the film shes a total badass with an impressive kill count. I mean seriously- i know i talked about how the lack of dialogue felt forced at times, but when your final girl has more kills than words spoken, you’re doing something right.
This film did alot of things actually. Great sound design. Some gnarly kills. And of course- Kaitlyn’s performance. I must admit this was an enjoyable watch. Although the ending did leave me feeling empty.
We see the film end, after Brynn having been probed by the aliens sent back to earth where she now leads a blissful life with the townspeople while several saucers fly above them. Maybe the aliens decided to let Brynn go because they thought “damn this girl has some fucked up mommy issues” while they colonize the rest of the planet? Maybe she is living a fantasy created by a parasite that has made her its host? Or just maybe the ending represents liberation from ones own sins? No one will save you, you must go outside and save yourself?
Ah- who cares, just watch this movie it has cool alien action.
