"Survive" - movie review

Frédéric Jardin’s Survive delivers a tense, fast-paced survival thriller.

Frédéric Jardin delivers a fast-paced and unexpectedly thrilling ride with Survive, a disaster thriller about a family caught in a dire, life-threatening situation. While the film initially gives off a B-movie horror vibe, it manages to exceed expectations, keeping a steady pace from start to finish.

Survive is surprisingly engaging, though it doesn’t spend much time developing the family dynamics. The back-and-forth between French and American perspectives offers an interesting glimpse into the characters’ intelligence and relationships. However, this intellectual angle might leave you questioning some of their later decisions. Thankfully, the film doesn’t dwell on unnecessary details, moving swiftly from one event to the next.

One concern going in was whether the effects might undermine the tension, but the visual and special effects teams delivered impressively. The effects avoid campiness, maintaining the film’s suspenseful tone and enhancing the story rather than detracting from it. Jardin smartly balances the visuals, giving just enough to immerse viewers without overwhelming them.

Though Survive has elements that may thrill horror fans, it leans more toward a survival thriller. It’s surprisingly violent but steers clear of heavy sci-fi territory, focusing instead on action and tension. The narrative is straightforward and relatively thin, but the tight pacing and bursts of bloodshed make up for its simplicity.

If the trailer left you uncertain, don’t let it deter you—Survive is a quick, entertaining survival thriller that’s worth a watch for fans of fast-paced, no-frills action.

Rating: 2.5/5

SURVIVE is directed by Frédéric Jardin and written by Matt Alexander.

Starring Emilie Dequenne (CLOSE), Andreas Pietschmann (DARK), Lisa Delamar, Lucas Ebel, and Arben Bajraktara. The film will release in theaters and digital / on-demand on January 10, 2025.