The One Survivor of Conifer, directed by Curt Dennis, is the latest in a long line of Robinson Crusoe’s spiritual successors. We follow the journey of Austin Biggs (Johnny Maya), the titular one survivor of some unspecified nuclear holocaust, as he struggles to stay alive in an increasingly hostile post-apocalyptic world. All while he attempts to repair a radio in the hopes that he is not the only person left alive.
Sadly the premise is as interesting as it gets as the movie itself is nothing short of a chore to get through. Initial reaction let it down by way of the opening score, and line delivery of Johnny Maya as I thought it was a comedy. However, it became painfully apparent it wasn’t when the laughs never came, and the tone only further darkened, making for an increasingly awkward viewing experience.
Dark films are among some of my favorites, especially those that deal with themes of isolation and denigrating sanity. But this movie explores nothing new or interesting with this story element, and the overall performance is akin to simply watching a homeless person muttering with themselves on the street.
“…as he struggles to stay alive in an increasingly hostile post-apocalyptic world.”
Not to mention the character of Austin’s actions are it is borderline emersion breaking at times. Lord knows how he has survived anything given his apparent complete lack of basic survival skills. He sleeps outdoors with no shelter despite one being available, has no fire, eats animals raw, and drinks questionable water. And his preferred choice of weapon appears to be the pointed top of a fence post despite his possession of a cricket bat.
It also borrows heavily and shamelessly from other popular films such as the blindfolds and presumed cognito-hazard monsters of Bird Box and conversing with an inanimate object as was done between Tom Hanks and the volleyball Wilson. Though to be fair, this movie uses a teddy bear as the emotional support object.
Yet these many flaws could all be forgiven if anything even remotely interesting was done or spoken of throughout the film, and sadly nothing is. The dialogue is worse than bad. It is completely boring and forgettable like this movie is as soon as you finish it. Assuming you have the sheer force of will to do so.
"…the tone only further darkened, making for an increasingly awkward viewing experience."
