Arcadian (2024) User Reviews

Could have been a gem

[dr_b-01580 · 6/10 · 1 May 2024]

Unfortunately the direction totally ruined this for me. Camera so shaky I felt like my head was spinning. And when action does happen the camera just turns away. Performances were above average, the kids were pretty good but the effects were fairly poor. I usually love little movies like this but just can't get past the camera work. I swear it was recorded on a bouncy castle.

Soundtrack was nice and Cage is as solid as he always is.

Interesting monster designs but again, we could hardly make out anything we were seeing when they showed up.

Overall had a feeling of "A Quiet Place" but smaller which I can appreciate.

Arcadian is frustrating as it has the potential to be a terrifying, but...

[nERDbOX_Dave · 5/10 · 18 April 2024]

I'd Watch It Again

"Arcadian" claws its way onto the screen with a promising premise: a post-apocalyptic world where a father and his sons fight for survival against nocturnal horrors. Nicolas Cage delivers a subdued performance as Paul, the father desperately clinging to normalcy for his children.

Nicolas Cage is, as always, a compelling presence. His performance grounds the film, even when the shaky cam and creature design falter. The young actors portraying his sons are believable as well.

Overall, Arcadian is frustrating. It has the potential to be a terrifying exploration of survival, but shaky camerawork and underwhelming creature design hold it back.

Lost Its Focus

[syntheticblue18 · 6/10 · 12 April 2024]

The constant shakiness of the camerawork makes this film physically challenging to watch unless you have an iron constitution that prevents motion sickness. I found the most relief during the scene when the camera is mounted on an ATV. Otherwise, every scene rattles and blurs and bounces and trips on a rock, distracting from the quality acting, storytelling, and world-building. I would have really enjoyed seeing more of everything in the film, but I couldn't focus fast enough before the camera swished up and down and vibrated until I had to look away. In the end, I listened to more of the movie than I saw of it, which is a shame because I was very excited after seeing the preview.

The continued resurgence of Nick Cage

[FeastMode · 7/10 · 11 April 2024]

Fair warning to all Nicolas Cage fans: contrary to what the poster may lead you to believe, he is NOT the lead. And he does NOT have any crazy-Cage moments. Even so, Arcadian is still a solid horror flick.

When it comes to these types of low-budget isolation movies with tiny casts, they frequently don't have enough substance to warrant the runtime. Not enough happens to make it entertaining. But that's not the case with Arcadian. There are lots of intense and suspenseful moments.

It does a great job with the horror elements and designs. There are a few highly memorable scenes with maximum creepiness. And the whole cast gives good performances.

Not everything works and there are a few flaws. And it doesn't reach the level of recent Cage hits Dream Scenario and The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. But I think genre fans will have a good time with this one.

(1 viewing, opening Thursday 4/11/2024)

There is no mode - "stabilization"

[Democrit · 4/10 · 16 April 2024]

The story of a father and two teenagers in a post-apocalyptic world inhabited by bloodthirsty creatures. The first thing that cannot be agreed with is that Nicolas Cage has not aged in 15 years, probably the atmosphere of the post-apocalypse has influenced him so much. Secondly, it's a twitching camera, it's like shaking the screen in a movie theater - a nightmare for epileptics. Thirdly, the operator does not know what a mise en scene or composition is at all - there is nothing beautiful in camerawork, there is nothing for the eye to cling to. Fourthly, it is very boring. Watching this is like standing in line for an appointment with a therapist: it's unbearable, and I want it all to end as soon as possible. I couldn't watch it to the end, it's beyond me.

They need to fire the cameramen

[toddcha · 7/10 · 3 May 2024]

Don't watch this move right after you eat something. The super shaky camera work could make you sick. 5 minutes into the movie I could not bear it. Just too uncomfortable.

The story line is easy and straightforward: people try to stay alive after some sort of apocalypse.

What is missing from the movie is the horror and the family dynamics. You either make the move very scary or you focus on the family and the bonding. Or make both the focus. However, this movie does not have enough either. Turns out the movie becomes boring and losing focus. So people can easily predict what's to come in the next 3 minutes.

It could be much better if they add some mysteries to the creatures. What causes the apocalypse is not that important to me.

Good creature design, boring humans

[seasonalsalmon · 4/10 · 1 May 2024]

Ok with the boys being boring, unmemorable dialogue, copy-paste story from A Quiet Place and shaky camera I'll just go straight to the creature - This is a really well done animal / thing / whatever, cgi or not. The way it snaps it's jaws repeatedly reminds me of the creatures of the Darkwood game. Whatever that snapping thing does I have no idea, a missed opportunity to show how dangerous these creatures are ... But no, the adult kills are hidden and somehow they attack with the aim of a storm trooper. They also have a strange way of elongating a fingernail ... was it dangerous? Idk, it did nothing in the trap scene.

Just a single bat can knock them down easily. They are thought to be very dangerous at night but after several hours of the kids and Cage outside there seems to be little danger at all. Might as well just be a pack of wolves that somehow knows how to tunnel and roly-poly into the sunset.

I think the way they failed to show how dangerous these creatures are in the beginning was a huge mistake. Quiet Place did it to a child, they are not messing around. Arcadian 'things' can't even kill the teenagers or sheep. A wasted opportunity I say, now there's zero suspense.

No backstory, all survival

[RegalsReelView · 6/10 · 17 April 2024]

A father and his twin sons have survived the end of the world for fifteen years. As teenagers, the boys have grown into young men and become independent and rambunctious. As they quarrel and go their separate ways one day, their lives are threatened again, and they must fight for survival.

This is a simple end-of-the-world, post-apocalypse survival movie. The story gets straight to the point, giving little to no backstory on the characters or what caused the world's end. There is not a lot of action and a bit of suspense. The runtime of the movie is short. This might not be worth watching in theaters, but it is worth streaming.

Wish.com version of A Quiet Place

[nickajankowski · 4/10 · 15 April 2024]

PROS: The "monsters" were pretty unique compared to other movies (though that's not entirely a good thing)and there was a couple good jump scenes which will give you a thrill.

CONS: There was never any background or explanation as to how things ended up the way they did, which made it hard to appreciate. The dialogue was poor with a few attempts at quippy lines that felt out of place and bordered on cheesy. Minimal character development. Actions and events felt contrived and nonsensical. For example, the monsters seemed to alternate between being strong/clever and weak/dumb depending on what fit the script. These things took over the whole word and can destroy a room full of people in a moment but a 16-year or injured man can single-handedly kill one? And it's SOOOOO dangerous at night, and yet, every time someone goes out at night they end up fine.

Essentially a discount Quiet Place yet nearly as effective, and exceptionally more brutal.

[tresm87 · 8/10 · 12 April 2024]

Most people I'm sure saw the trailer and thought; Oh look a ripoff of A quiet place. Well they wouldn't be completely wrong but it does survive on its own accord even having similarities especially in plotting and visuals . The settings are also like minded. What this particular film does differently is with the bloodshed and gruesome factor. The intensity and threat is much more on display with creatures that might even be even more grotesque than even its influence . As far as the main draw, Cage is always entertaining. The other cast is solid as well. What really shines in this will be the fantastic bleak settings and disgusting creatures . Sometimes movies that borrow can do certain things better than the originals.

A unique flick with unnerving creatures and lots of shaky cameras

[aronharde · 7/10 · 3 May 2024]

In 2024's "Arcadian" we are introduced to a father and his two twin teenage sons after the world has been overrun by creatures. When I heard about an apocalyptic monster movie with Nick Cage as the lead, I was really hyped because he has been part of some amazing projects in the last couple of years and this sounded like something right up my alley. Sadly his character is a little bit underused but Jaeden Martell and Maxwell Jenkins do a great job as his two teenage sons and the overall acting from everyone was solid and convincing. The movie overall felt really similar to A Quiet Place and I'm pretty sure that some inspiration was taken from there. That is not necessarily a bad thing but if you would compare these two, then Arcadian is nowhere close to the quality of those movies. But that doesn't mean that it is not entertaining because I had a pretty good time watching it and I think the creatures from this movie were pretty interesting in their own weird way. They come out at night and have a unique unsettling look to them and are equipped with some surprising abilities and attacks. Sadly we don't get to see those that much because in every action scene where the creatures attack, the camera is being shaken non-stop. This made the attack scenes confusing and less suspenseful. I would have loved to see a more detailed look whenever the creatures were on screen but that is really not the case. Also the movie lacked some beauty or good cinematography in general which gives it this rather cheap look. But overall I still enjoyed it mostly and I would take a movie like this over another Haunted House movie any day. [6,7/10]

Decent, but questionable camera work ruins the experience

[jochang-30856 · 5/10 · 1 May 2024]

Adroitly written dialogue, believable characters, nice special effects, creative enemy design and a coherent, concise story that makes sense. They also did away with a lot of detail for background to put us into the moment. Very much the essence of "less is more" in every scene and it works well. Nothing's missing, and there's just the right amount of what we need to know.

But is it a good film? It's work like this that makes me appreciate how complicated and involved filmmaking actually is. Arcadian is arguably a competent piece of work, but none of it will stay with me. I enjoyed everything I watched along with how it was put together, and yet had I not seen it at all that would have been okay too. I wouldn't have missed it. This would also not be on my list of recommendations unless it was for a fan of the genre, and even then I would tell them to curb their expectations. There's something about the way it was shot that hurts the movie, and whatever it is reduces an otherwise decent film into something that's rather forgettable.

If you're a fan of the medium and appreciate the artistry I would say this is worth your time. If you're looking to passively enjoy something in this genre there are better options out there.

Characters aren't fleshed out.

[AfricanBro · 6/10 · 15 April 2024]

Did he just stumble upon these kids? Or did he leave them all alone to go foraging?? There's not much explanation about the cause of the apocalypse; it's more of a passing mention during a game played by two of the characters. It seems like society has fractured, and nobody in "Arcadian" can offer a clear explanation for what happened. It appears there was some kind of mutant-insect infestation. I'd have rather had no explanation than an explanation that isn't clear cut; more confusing than enigmatic.

I loved the scene with the peephole and the creature's hand reaching through it. I found the creatures to be inconsistent; at times they appeared larger, other times they seemed smaller. The jaw snapping was a nice touch. It seems like more effort was put into designing the creatures than developing the story or characters, as both felt somewhat typical and underdeveloped. Overall, it's a decent sci-fi thriller, which is what I expected, though it's also categorized as horror, despite not being particularly scary. I enjoyed it because I have a fondness for dystopian movies and shows, and I think you have to share that interest to actually like it. Or maybe be a Nick cage fan.

I should say Nick Cage isn't the main character, and the characters themselves aren't very compelling. Personally, I'm a sucker for a love story, especially in an apocalyptic setting (like in "Love and Monsters" or "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World"), so I wish they had explored that aspect more between the brother and the farm girl. It's not groundbreaking or unforgettable, but if it happened to be on TV 2yrs from now while I'm flipping through channels in a hotel room, I wouldn't mind watching it again.

Disregard the low ratings

[fashinrashin · 7/10 · 4 May 2024]

Fabulous tension, if this doesn't have you with knotted guts, I don't know what will Cage is excellent, really believable as a fierce father. The two boys are great, as is the rest of the cast The premise is a well worn trope, but that's ok, these "It follows"..."A quiet place" ....etc, can really work in the right hands This could have been amazing if the DP had more time setting up shots. He didn't.... this was made on a shoestring budget, probably with a freaking IPhone.

The creatures are terrifying, and relentless , this flick could have a follow up movie, showing where the kids start to win against the creatures The Cage renaissance continues.

Boring tween nonsense

[seven-johnson · 2/10 · 1 May 2024]

...with horrible camera work.

If you wereone of the Directors' parents, you'd probably be reallly proud of them. If you've sat through this, you will probably actively choose not to watch their next film.

There's no suspense, barely more of a plot than "there's monsters" and not even Cage is likable in this. Fortunately for Cage, he gets to spend most of the film pretending to be unconscious whilst a few tweens don't really do much.

The monsters are bad, they look like Jim Henson puppets that have been dragged through a muddy ditch, not at all scary, but kinda dirty, but weirdly have some kinda Power Rangers ability to combine into a, meh who cares?

The camera work is truly awful, it's like they've tried to go for a docu-drama feel, but it just looks amateurish and it's jarring.

Don't waste your time.

Far better than i ever expected!

[subxerogravity · 7/10 · 15 April 2024]

This was a great movie!!!

It's only a good Nicolas Cage movie but it's a great movie. Nicolas Cage is a little tame in comparison. After all he's battling a herd of the strangest monsters I've seen so far. These things were the most freighting monsters I've seen so far. I feel the movie gave clues on what they were but I'm still not sure. Whatever they were they stole the show with the outright horror they brought to this masterpiece. Just one of the best and exciting horror movies I've seen, especially this year. Having Cage in this film was pure icing on one of the most delicious cakes I've ever eaten.

What's it about? What are they? Where did they come from?

[kuluvas · 3/10 · 24 April 2024]

Absolutely no answers to any questions no actual storyline no closure... Absolutely no information at all... I'm so disappointed the things were cool but would have been cooler if I knew what the hell they were or where they came from... Aside from all that it was fun and interesting in a couple parts.

Overall it's a tragic disappointment.

Absolutely no answers to any questions no actual storyline no closure... Absolutely no information at all... I'm so disappointed the things were cool but would have been cooler if I knew what the hell they were or where they came from... Aside from all that it was fun and interesting in a couple parts.

Overall it's a tragic disappointment.

Arcadian stands out as one of the best monster movies in recent memory

[kevin_robbins · 7/10 · 13 April 2024]

I watched Arcadian (2024) in theaters tonight. Set in a post-apocalyptic world due to pollution, the world has become infested with deadly creatures. The story follows a father and his two sons as they navigate a world devoid of hope.

Directed by Benjamin Brewer (The Trust) and starring Nicolas Cage (Face/Off), Jaeden Martell (It), Maxwell Jenkins (Lost in Space) and Sadie Soverall (Saltburn).

Arcadian stands out as one of the best monster movies in recent memory. It cleverly blends elements of A Quiet Place and Critters 2, with the creatures stealing the show. Despite heavy CGI use, the monsters feel authentic and every encounter is thrilling. The film's setting, costumes, and performances add to its authenticity, while the storyline presents believable challenges for the characters. Notably, there's a gripping autopsy scene and a satisfying ending that leaves room for more.

In summary, Arcadian is a delightful and fresh addition to the horror genre. I'd rate it a 7/10 and highly recommend it.

So boring....

[contactmaz · 2/10 · 2 May 2024]

Awful film with terrible acting and a drunken film crew who can't keep a camera steady.

Nicolas Cage was terrible as usual although I decided to give him a chance and watch this. "Sorry Nic... No more chances!"

The twins were bad but I don't blame them, I blame the producers. I mean, who says "please" and "thanks" when they're fighting these monsters???

The story was boring and although the setting looked great (in Ireland), it didn't do anything to really engage the viewer. The lighting was so dark that I struggled to see some of the things happening in certain parts! Why do they have to do this? The whole point is for viewers to see what's going on! Anyway, wouldn't really recommend this film - it could have been so much better I think - perhaps by introducing a new lead actor I think and a bit more explanation on where these creatures came from and some explanation on what happened in the 15 years time gap and an explanation why some farms were regularly attacked and others not! Monsters were ok though!

It's dinner time.....

[FlashCallahan · 8/10 · 3 May 2024]

In a near future, normal life on Earth has been decimated. Paul and his two sons, Thomas and Joseph, have been living a half-life - tranquility by day and torment by night.

Every night, after the sun sets, they face the unrelenting attacks of a mysterious and violent evil.

One day, when Thomas doesn't return home before sundown, Paul must leave the safety of their fortified farm to find him. A battle ensues that forces the family to execute a desperate plan to survive......

First off, I have no idea why this film has the title it has, but it's a curiosity for sure, just like the film. If you know me, I'm a Cage completist, he's a legend and when he is in a film in any type of role, he lifts the film beyond it's plot and narrative, and in the last ten years, his output hasn't been the best, but my goodness, when he's in a good film, that film is golden. Think of Dream Scenario, Mandy, Joe, Color Out Of Space, and Pig, you know Cage can be wonderful. And here we are again.

At first glance, Arcadian could be nothing more than your average Friday night monster movie. Think of A Quiet Place, or even It Comes At Night, and you would be forgiven for thinking that this film is going down the same route. It really isn't.

Cage is living on a farm of some sort with his two teenage sons who squabble all the time, so not only is the fight outside, it's also inside. It references Covid subliminally, but that is what the film is about. Imagine being in total lockdown at night, the time of sundowning, and when people are tired after a hard days work, and you have a nifty arc of the film.

Cage is a strict father, but it's in the best interests of his children, he wants them to be safe, and he wants them to learn and grow up quickly, as at night he dictates to them how the house should be lockdowned.

Outside of the nuclear family, the children are discovering themselves very quickly, and in the old adage of a teen (we all were once) they think that they are pretty invincible.

It's a film of two halves. The first half is the audience getting to know the dynamics of the family, and the other people that the kids meet, whilst Cage is just taking it easy with a cigar, knowing that the night will soon come.

The second part of the film just goes all out, and it feels like a monster movie crossed with 28 Days Later. It's pretty terrifying in parts, and it remains pretty tense right up until the end.

But I fear it's going to be one of those films with Cage that will be lost in the seas of time, as it didn't do very well at the box office, and it's sitting pretty now on Shudder.

It's really worth seeing.

Let There Be Light

[hiramthreets · 7/10 · 14 April 2024]

This movie had me on the edge of my seat. The story was familiar but the execution was rather different, with a good surprise. Life on earth is an apocalyptic view for Paul, the dad and his two sons. The night time brings out true dread and horror from a dark evil. Good story, good acting and good special effects. We need a sequel or prequel, hopefully its in the works already. The origin of these evil beings would satisfy us viewers. Director, producers, lets get it cracking. One of Nicholas Cage finest films. I will watch it again, a must watch for the nuanced parts, i didn't catch. Hollywood we love movies with a good story line and people we care about.

Need more Nic Cage, but it's a not-bad effort. [+53%]

[arungeorge13 · 5/10 · 4 May 2024]

Well, I like to think director Benjamin Brewer (best known for directing music videos and leading the VFX efforts for Everything Everywhere All at Once) had a few neat tricks up his sleeve while conjuring up this creature-feature starring Nic Cage. It has a pretty interesting first act that reminded me of films like A Quiet Place and It Comes At Night, with Cage being the difference-maker.

I'd see anything with Cage in it at this point - heck, I've watched all his bad DTV-movies when was going through a career slump in the 2010s before reinventing himself towards the end of the decade. I just enjoyed seeing him turning into a red-hot act once again. Arcadian evidently descends into a B-horror territory, with deliberate campiness in the presentation of the creatures and a plot that only gives away bits and pieces of its lead characters. The action is layered with some shaky cam, just so that the creatures' appearance isn't entirely given away; that's a creative decision I can applaud. That said, the plot advancement remains utterly predictable.

It's an okayish affair that progressively sees less involvement from Cage, but they establish the brothers' equation fairly well for us to believe in their survival journeys. Jaeden Martell (from It), especially, is a promising talent. A needless love angle is also introduced, only to bring more characters that the monsters can munch on. I'm also curious how the dog in the film survived the whole ordeal, though I'm glad he did :)

A cut above most horror/thriller movies

[ksgillihan · 7/10 · 14 April 2024]

I was very interested in the premise of this movie. It looked like a different sort of take on an end of the world scenario. That is exactly what I got out of it. The story takes place with two brothers who live on a farm with their father, who has raised them alone since they were babies. We're not sure what happened to the mother but we can assume she died shortly after they were born as the dad is seen raising them by himself. All three of them live together with their dog and do the best they can in a situation where we assume most of the population has died off.

The creatures are very interesting and are showcased effectively throughout the film. They live underground and only come up once the sun has set. The three survivors live together in a home where every day they have to prepare their home to ward off the possible invasion of the creatures. The oldest son splits his time away from the family at another farm, helping out the other family and getting to know their daughter. Some bad choices happen and the oldest son needs to be rescued at night by the father. After that, there is tension between the oldest and his younger brother who blames their dad getting injured on the oldest brother.

Things come to a head and the oldest brother decides that he is needed on his farm instead of staying with his girlfriend at the other families' place. The climax of the story effectively shows the remaining survivors fighting off a huge wave of creatures who have tunneled under their home, while their father is thought to be close to death. There is tragedy and carnage in the final act and the two brothers and the girl are left to fend off the creatures on their own. Overall, I feel like the movie is quite effective in showcasing the despair and sorrow the three remaining characters are confronted with. The two brothers seem to grow up in a short amount of time and ultimately realize that family and hope is the most important thing that they have in their lives. I very much enjoyed this movie and consider it above most other offerings in this genre lately.

Shuuuuder

[yusufpiskin · 6/10 · 1 May 2024]

Starring up-and-coming Gen Z talents Jaeden Martell and Maxwell Jenkins, Arcadian is a low-budget sci-fi/horror film that delivers on performances but falters in its technical aspects.

The film follows two brothers who must fight for survival after a mysterious creature attacks their remote farmhouse. Martell and Jenkins are both well-cast and deliver strong performances, bringing depth and nuance to their characters. They are ably supported by a solid supporting cast, including Nicolas Cage in a brief but memorable role.

However, the film's technical shortcomings significantly hinder its overall impact. The camerawork is often shaky and uninspired, and the editing is choppy and disjointed. These choices make it difficult to fully immerse oneself in the story and create a sense of tension and suspense.

The film's script is also somewhat uneven, with some scenes feeling underdeveloped and others overly expositional. The world-building is also a bit lacking, leaving the viewer with more questions than answers about the creatures and the post-apocalyptic setting.

Despite its flaws, Arcadian has the potential to be a cult classic. The performances are strong, the concept is intriguing, and the film has a certain charm that makes it watchable. However, the filmmaking choices ultimately hold the film back from reaching its full potential.

Overall, Arcadian is a mixed bag. It's a film with strong performances and an interesting concept, but its technical shortcomings and uneven script prevent it from being truly great.

The film's creature design is interesting and unique, but it would have been more effective if it had been given more screen time.

The film's score is atmospheric and effective, but it is sometimes overused and can drown out the dialogue.

The film's pacing is slow in some parts and rushed in others, making it difficult to follow at times.

Overall, Arcadian is a film that is worth watching for fans of sci-fi/horror and the performances of Jaeden Martell and Maxwell Jenkins. However, don't expect a masterpiece.

Trash for teenagers

[BogdanH · 2/10 · 1 May 2024]

I really don't understand where from such high (6.2) rating comes for Arcadian. I mean, everything above 5 should be considered as a solid movie. Has the criteria really fallen that low recently?

Nothing in this movie is sharp (except titles) and camera is swaying all the time as it would be recorded with smartphone handheld. Actually one can get better result with smartphone.

Story is paper thin: no plot, no surprise and nothing to think about. It's a typical zombie flick in slightly different package. Needless to mention amateurish dialogs.

And as is to be expected for C-class movie, scenery is extremely scarce as well. If we forget the wood in the night, then the whole "story" happens inside old falling apart house (a shack actually).

As one reviewer already mentioned, name Nicholas Cage is only used to catch the attention. I'm quite a fan of N. Cage, but I just don't understand why a Oscar winner accepts such roles...is kinda embarrassing.