This World Alone Movie Review: A Downbeat Drama With Strong Central Performances

The Illuminerdi reviews the new film, This World Alone.

This World Alone is one of those frustrating movies where clearly talented actors and a solid director are let down by a muddled story.

Newcomers Belle Adams and Lau’rie Roach show impressive emotional rawness and director Jordan Noel has an eye for pretty nature shots and injects the final act with unexpected tension. However, the script they’ve been given feels meandering and largely lacks the urgency its story should have.

This World Alone Official Trailer

Twenty years ago, an event called The Fall occurred leaving Earth without power or technology. Tough-as-nails mother Connie (Carrie Walrond Hood) and her booksmart daughter Sam (Belle Adams) have been living with family friend Willow (Sophie Edwards) for some time, and teen Sam desires to explore the world despite its dangers.

She gets that chance when Willow is severely injured and the only known medicine is located in New Macedonia a few days walk away. With time of the essence, Sam ventures out to retrieve the medicine, experiencing the harsh world around her and crossing paths with Dart (Lau’rie Roach) along the way.

The biggest problem with This World Alone is its surprising lack of urgency.

The beginning is interesting enough and shows some solid character dynamics. However, once Willow gets injured and Sam sets off, the film meanders following the latter walk through nicely-shot backdrops until she meets up with Dart and possible hints of a romance develops between them. We get a few flashbacks to Sam, Connie, and Willow reading classic literature and the film intermittently cuts to black for Sam to give ponderous narration about how the world used to be, but the present world lacks any threats for our heroes to overcome.

An unexpectedly violent and emotional third act ends the movie on a high note, but it can’t compensate for everything beforehand. Everyone here is clearly talented, and they all deserved a better launching pad.

This World Alone is carried by two star-making performances and good direction, but its drifting script often squanders those attributes.

This World Alone is available to rent or buy on all digital platforms! What did you think of This World Alone? What was your favorite moment? Let us know all of your thoughts in the comment section below and on our social media!