THE DOMESTICS
US, 2018, 95 minutes, Colour.
Kate Bosworth, Tyler Hoechlin, Lance Reddick, Mikaela Kamani Armstrong, Kaden Washington Lewis.
Directed by Mike P.Nelson.
The Domestics is one of many post-apocalyptic thrillers, people in flight, menaces – variations of themes of such films as The Book of Eli, The Silence, A Quiet Place.
Kate Bosworth and Tyler Hoechlin portray a couple whose marriage is on the rocks. She is in touch with her parents but then phone calls fail so she decides to travel the dangerous road from their home to Milwaukee. He agrees to go with her – the tension between them gradually arising but their making efforts to complete the journey.
As with this kind of film, there is a mystery about government action, killing off people. The survivors become monsters in their pursuit. Which means this is a road movie with the continuing succession of dangers. The most interesting episode is an encounter with aggressive and threatening men, leering men, the threat to Nina. However, one of them, Nathan, Lance Reddick, with his family befriends the couple. But they are revealed with a sinister underlay when it is revealed that they are cannibals, surviving on food from the human bodies. Tables are turned – although Nathan turns up later.
One of the criticisms of the film is that Kate Bosworth seems absorbed in her anxieties but suddenly turns into a warrior.
Audiences know what to expect from this kind of story – and, if themes are familiar, we want to see the variations on the theme.
1. Apocalyptic world? The government attacking citizens? Reasons for killings, means of killings? The media, the radio announcer and information?
2. A road film, a journey? Nina and Mark, loss of contact with Nina’s parents? Wisconsin, the countryside, wanting to get to Milwaukee? The maps and signposts?
3. The overtones of Mad Max, the couple being pursued, the range of groups, men and women, the violence, the weapons, the vehicles?
4. The relationship between Nina and Mark? Tense, the possibility of the marriage breakup? Nina and her vulnerability? Mark’s attempt to make things right? The motivation for the journey, the details, maps and information?
5. The dangers along the road, the menace, driving, pursuits?
6. The dangers, terror? The meeting with Nathan and his family? Suspicions, stand-off, the vehicles, the other men, and hearing? Nathan and his offer of friendship? The visit to the house, the problem with food and supplies? The meal, enjoying it? The revelation that the meat was human? The cannibal family – and their menacing? The threats to Nina and Mark, the escape?
7. The continued pursuit, getting irritable tensions? The continued threats? Nina, overcoming her grief, becoming a warrior? Mark, the injuries, the rescue?
8. The continuing to the destination, the pleasant suburbs, the gardens, everything seeming normal? The growing menace, the invasion, the massacres?
9. A pessimistic perspective on the world?
