Channeling survival horror thrillers such as A Quiet Place or 2009’s The Road, Arcadian reigns in a decidedly different era of post-apocalyptic delights. Part coming-of-age, part sci-fi horror, this dreary familial affair imagines a world overrun by peculiar creatures. As in The Walking Dead, factions of people try to make it on their own, scavenging for increasingly depleting resources. Arcadian’s unique approach focuses on a loving father who will do anything to protect his twin sons from danger—a relatable scenario for any parent. Featuring committed turns from Nicolas Cage (Dream Scenario, Willy’s Wonderland), Jaeden Martell (It, The Lodge), and Maxwell Jenkins (Lost in Space, Joe Bell), crack the apocalypse in this stunning, action-packed chiller.
Fifteen years on from the doomsday scenario that left only the lucky still alive, a tightly knit family unit with three completely different male archetypes just tries to get by. Paul (Cage, who also produces), the father figure, imparts wisdom and scavenging skills on his two boys, still careful to keep food on the table. Joseph (Martell) obsesses over understanding the strange creatures lurking outside. Meanwhile, Thomas (Jenkins) neglects his duties to instead help out on a nearby farm, where his eye catches friendly teenager, Charlotte (Sadie Soverall). All three of these separate pieces of the story nicely tie together rather early on. Paul’s fortification of their farmhouse may not be enough—the monsters, who only emerge at nightfall, will stop at nothing to get inside.
One night, when Thomas does not return home by curfew, Paul vows that he will go rescue the boy whilst Joseph maintains their farmhouse. Director Benjamin Brewer wrings maximum tension from the confined setting deep within the woods. From the scratching and horrifying noises, the creatures are kept mostly in the shadows in the first act. Once they emerge, all bets are off. The design seems to be an amalgamation of an ostrich, a wolf, and the components of a few different types of animals. Tufts of fur and disgustingly long nails outwardly present the creature, with a sort of tentacle effect occurring from its retracted nails, and a freaky tiki-style face. Effects are quite solid as well for a lower-budget indie. The erratic snapping of its beak may chill views to the bone, and possibly give nightmares depending on one’s level of comfort when it comes to horror.
Plenty of space exists for organic, suspenseful set pieces. One of the best takes place in a cave, illuminated only by the light of an igniter. In the final act, each sequence is more outrageously engaging than the last. The trio of main characters swirls at the core of it all; without the father/son/sibling bonds, Arcadian would not be even halfway as exciting. Nicolas Cage, who has been quietly putting out stellar work over the last few years, has all but erased the lull of his mid-2000s misfires. He feels like a true fatherly presence in this title. Both boys equally contribute to the plot in different ways. Thomas, blinded by young love, causes the major conflict that sets into motion everything that follows. Jenkins’s puppy dog eyes and naive energy speak volumes of the young actor, giving shades of Nick Robinson and Kit Connor. On the other hand, Martell’s Joseph drives the entire climax. Joseph remains devoted to his father through countless hardships. Joseph’s determination to deconstruct the behaviors of the monsters outside proves a familiar avenue for Martell—he has filled this type of role before with ease, in Midnight Special, Stephen King’s It, and The Book of Henry. I continue looking forward to Martell projects, and expect big things of this budding scream king.
Arcadian layers its story with murky morals. Some segments serve as an audience mirror, begging the question of how one would approach a similar situation. Would one spare precious medicine if it meant saving the life of a stranger? How about offering housing if one had plenty of room to spare? If faced with an apocalyptic scenario, certain everyday tasks are taken off the table. How would one go about maintaining a food supply, or ensuring survival amongst the uncertainties of what lurks outside? The richness of these questions gets explored in Michael Nilon’s punchy script.
Whether it draws fans of Nicolas Cage or casual horror fanatics, Arcadian has a little for everyone. A climax stuffed with crowd-pleasing moments of triumph and frenetic creature action aims to satiate the bloodlust of any genre lover. If successful, I could easily see this evolving into a franchise or television continuation, in the footsteps of A Quiet Place. Don’t miss one of Cage’s finest horror outings to date!
Find your safe haven in Arcadian, snapping into theaters on Friday, April 12th.
