IFC Midnight’s 2019 survival movie and dramatic thriller — Ben McPherson’s apocalypse movie, Radioflash is available on VOD. Starring Brighton Sharbino (The Walking Dead), Dominic Monaghan (Lord of the Rings) Will Patton (Halloween), and Fionnula Flanagan (American Gods.) Radioflash starts before the beginning of an apocalypse in the shape of an Electro-Magnetic Pulse disaster. It’s writer-director Ben McPherson who combines an unusual amount of tonal settings to bring his story to life. If you like a bleak survival movie with some additional subtext about life and death, doomsday preppers, and human nature then this will be something you’ll enjoy.
Power, Water, and Electricity Gone
In the bleak tale of “Radioflash”, we are immediately drawn into a world dominated by technology. Meet Reese, a brilliant young computer prodigy who navigates our tech-dependent society with ease. Her ingenious problem-solving skills prove to be invaluable as the story unfolds. Determined and level-headed, Reese effortlessly captures our admiration. Meanwhile, her father Chris, though more subdued, plays a crucial role in the narrative. As we delve deeper, we not only come to understand his character but also grow deeply invested in his fate amidst the catastrophic aftermath of a devastating nuclear bomb that ravages the nation. Prepare to be captivated by the relentless suspense and heart-pounding action of Radioflash.
Of course, what sort of disaster movie would be without a nature-loving self-sufficient survivalist living in the mountains? Grandad (Shawn Law) has been ready for this day his whole life and urges his son and granddaughter to make their way to him as soon as possible.
Similar films lean heavily on the viciousness of widespread chaos, however, the Radioflash movie concentrates on these areas sparingly. There are glimpses of the darker side of this panic as the pair make their way to the sanctuary. The story, though, is very much an ode to the fear of death for much of the first act.
The shift in tone comes unexpectedly and is a little jarring when it gives it’s the idea a full swing of the bat. Every good story needs a villain and Michael Filipowich’s Bill plays a pretty solid baddie. Alongside this surly and brutal chap who uses a wheelchair and his entitled mother, Maw, together they create the hillbilly element in an otherwise straightforward mission to get from point A to point B.
RadioFlash Movie
The film takes no risks in terms of bringing something new to the disaster film arena but it does add familiar tropes like escape room themes and backwoods folk. These cause some points of disconnect as it stumbles through its 142 run-time. Radioflash definitely could have been elevated with less extended periods of wandering around in nature. Nature is fortunately well captured and Ben McPherson’s artistic talent certainly shines in some of the cinematic landscapes.
I give Radioflash
3 never stop on the road to survival out of 5
