I didn't read anything about Population Zero before watching it and to be honest I thought it was a documentary for almost half of the movie before realizing it was a mockumentary. So credits to the actors in the beginning that made it look genuine. Acting is good when it doesn't look like acting. Once it looks like acting you're actually not a good actor, that's paradoxal but that's how it is. At half of the movie it was suddenly obvious there were acting scenes, so not a good job from those actors. But for a mockumentary I have to admit I enjoyed it. It's well made and the story is interesting. Population Zero is low budget but it isn't bad, certainly not for the way it's shot, with handycams, not really the kind of cinematography I normally enjoy.
45 Reviews
Starts out great, then gets ridiculous.
bergmansmithee4 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I thought the first 30 minutes were excellent, and it's hard to tell it's a "mockumentary" and seems real. I thought the whole story was real. But then the director himself starts acting more aggressive and ridiculous, some of the acting starts to seem "off" with secondary characters, it goes way way over the top. Shame is, it would have been great if they kept up the realism. It just gets too ridiculous. I did lose interest once it was clear it's all fake.
Mockumentary Not Documentary
saysjenn15 July 2022
This film makes no mention that it's a mockumentary and I find that predatory. Had I known it was fake I wouldn't have watched it. I was believing the story up until they receive a video. At that point the suspension of belief was blown and left me mad for wasting my time. If it was a real documentary I would have given it a higher rating but I feel like this is a bait and switch scheme.
Mockumentary with intelligent plot, but possibly not original
Armin_Nikkhah_Shirazi5 June 2022
POPULATION ZERO is a mockumentary or fake documentary the strongest aspect of which is an intelligent plot based on real-life issues.
A man kills three young hikers in Yellowstone National Park, then immediately turns himself in and confesses, but offers no motive. His trial fails because, it turns out, there is a legal loophole in the US constitution which effectively permits crimes to be committed in this area due to the fact that it has population zero. Five years later, a documentarian retraces the murders and the events that led to them, and comes across an unexpected discovery.
While the murders are fictional, the issue with the legal loophole is a real-life legal problem which was discovered by a law professor. Interestingly, a novel had been written years before with substantial similarities to this set-up based on that loophole. It is called "Free Fire", and it concerns an attorney who kills four hikers in the same area in Yellowstone National Park and also immediately turns himself in and confesses, offering no motive.
The author of "Free Fire", CJ Box, has publicly accused this documentary of plagiarism. The accusation could be true, but I believe there is room for doubt. For one thing, despite the nearly identical premise, there are some differences in each case between the killer, his victims, his pursuer and, most importantly, his motives. For another, after the law professor published his article on the loophole, it is conceivable that multiple people could have independently thought of a similar fictional murder plot that would exploit it. Most importantly, Box himself seems to have admitted that the alleged plagiarism did not extend to verbatim passages from his book.
Unfortunately, people steal ideas from each other all the time. I don't know whether that is the case here, but I decided to give the film-makers the benefit of the doubt.
With that out of the way, I found the plot to be well-constructed, and the connection to fracking, another real-life problem, both completely unanticipated and incorporated in a very natural way. The characterization of the antagonist in this had shades of "John Doe" in SE7EN (1995). There is a reference by the director, who plays himself, to a previous actual documentary he had made on environmental pollution, and I found this mixing of reality and fiction amusing, as it seems to be sort of the converse of the "Bateson's Belfry" hoax by Michael Crichton in THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY (1978).
The pace is rather slow, but the plot offers enough twists along the way that it keeps interest. As far as mockumentaries are concerned, I would rate it as one of the best, so fans of the genre may wish to add it to their watchlist, perhaps followed by a reading of "Free Fire".
A man kills three young hikers in Yellowstone National Park, then immediately turns himself in and confesses, but offers no motive. His trial fails because, it turns out, there is a legal loophole in the US constitution which effectively permits crimes to be committed in this area due to the fact that it has population zero. Five years later, a documentarian retraces the murders and the events that led to them, and comes across an unexpected discovery.
While the murders are fictional, the issue with the legal loophole is a real-life legal problem which was discovered by a law professor. Interestingly, a novel had been written years before with substantial similarities to this set-up based on that loophole. It is called "Free Fire", and it concerns an attorney who kills four hikers in the same area in Yellowstone National Park and also immediately turns himself in and confesses, offering no motive.
The author of "Free Fire", CJ Box, has publicly accused this documentary of plagiarism. The accusation could be true, but I believe there is room for doubt. For one thing, despite the nearly identical premise, there are some differences in each case between the killer, his victims, his pursuer and, most importantly, his motives. For another, after the law professor published his article on the loophole, it is conceivable that multiple people could have independently thought of a similar fictional murder plot that would exploit it. Most importantly, Box himself seems to have admitted that the alleged plagiarism did not extend to verbatim passages from his book.
Unfortunately, people steal ideas from each other all the time. I don't know whether that is the case here, but I decided to give the film-makers the benefit of the doubt.
With that out of the way, I found the plot to be well-constructed, and the connection to fracking, another real-life problem, both completely unanticipated and incorporated in a very natural way. The characterization of the antagonist in this had shades of "John Doe" in SE7EN (1995). There is a reference by the director, who plays himself, to a previous actual documentary he had made on environmental pollution, and I found this mixing of reality and fiction amusing, as it seems to be sort of the converse of the "Bateson's Belfry" hoax by Michael Crichton in THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY (1978).
The pace is rather slow, but the plot offers enough twists along the way that it keeps interest. As far as mockumentaries are concerned, I would rate it as one of the best, so fans of the genre may wish to add it to their watchlist, perhaps followed by a reading of "Free Fire".
Stolen premise. Shameless.
Kingofclassics23 December 2018
The premise of this film is a poor re-hash of a novel called Free Fire. The highly sophisticated legal premise in this film does not match the juvenile nature of the rest of this movie.
#1 New York Times-bestselling author C. J. Box. Wrote the following on Rotten Tomatoes:
"This "documentary" is a poor re-hash of a novel I wrote In 2007 entitled FREE FIRE that was published by Penguin Random House. In my novel, a fictional murder that occurs in a remote section of Yellowstone Park where the murderer goes free because of an obscure Constitutional loophole. The novel was inspired by an essay by a brilliant Michigan State law professor named Brian Kalt who was credited in my novel but not Population Zero. Free Fire is still in print and it's been translated in over 27 languages. What happens in the book is wholly fictional.
I was contacted several months ago by a volunteer at a film festival who screened Pinder's and Levins's Population Zero. The volunteer said it closely mirrored Free Fire but without any attribution. That festival rejected the submission.
After consulting lawyers we learned that plagiarism has to be literal, i.e. Replicating actual lines of prose or dialog. Legalities aside, the premise, plot, structure, hook, and conclusion are strikingly similar to my novel. Anyone who has read Free Fire would agree. No reason to see the film, though. Except for the premise it really isn't very good." C. J. Box.
#1 New York Times-bestselling author C. J. Box. Wrote the following on Rotten Tomatoes:
"This "documentary" is a poor re-hash of a novel I wrote In 2007 entitled FREE FIRE that was published by Penguin Random House. In my novel, a fictional murder that occurs in a remote section of Yellowstone Park where the murderer goes free because of an obscure Constitutional loophole. The novel was inspired by an essay by a brilliant Michigan State law professor named Brian Kalt who was credited in my novel but not Population Zero. Free Fire is still in print and it's been translated in over 27 languages. What happens in the book is wholly fictional.
I was contacted several months ago by a volunteer at a film festival who screened Pinder's and Levins's Population Zero. The volunteer said it closely mirrored Free Fire but without any attribution. That festival rejected the submission.
After consulting lawyers we learned that plagiarism has to be literal, i.e. Replicating actual lines of prose or dialog. Legalities aside, the premise, plot, structure, hook, and conclusion are strikingly similar to my novel. Anyone who has read Free Fire would agree. No reason to see the film, though. Except for the premise it really isn't very good." C. J. Box.
What a mess this made of my head!
bethsgem-136931 August 2022
This documentary was good..just the thing I enjoy..I was really into it when I cleverly started picking up on this is not really real Beth..hmm I am still shocked it is fake but I still wonder if it is real considering there were no credits for actors! Is it really based on fiction or reality? Regardless I did enjoy it...
Please ignore the bad reviews
Shelpa1 July 2017
This is a great movie. If you like mocumentry style films you will love this one.
I went into this movie not knowing a lot about it and I suggest not watching any trailers or reading about the plot.
What I will tell you is that the subject matter is original and it is one of the better mocumentry style files I have seen. I even had to google it afterwards just to be 100% certain it wasn't a real documentary.
The movie itself is not scary but as it wound along and started to reveal itself I became quite creeped out about the fact that the idea behind this movie is real.
Definitely worth a watch if you want something a bit different with an edge of truth.
I went into this movie not knowing a lot about it and I suggest not watching any trailers or reading about the plot.
What I will tell you is that the subject matter is original and it is one of the better mocumentry style files I have seen. I even had to google it afterwards just to be 100% certain it wasn't a real documentary.
The movie itself is not scary but as it wound along and started to reveal itself I became quite creeped out about the fact that the idea behind this movie is real.
Definitely worth a watch if you want something a bit different with an edge of truth.
An interesting little film
jtindahouse15 March 2017
The concept of a fake documentary is an interesting one. The whole time I was watching 'Population Zero' I kept thinking to myself, would I be enjoying this more if it was a real documentary? The answer is of course yes. The biggest problem with the fake side of it is that every time it tries to take itself seriously it just comes across embarrassingly. When it focuses on the story and mystery element it's fine, however when it tries to get heart-felt interview answers out of terrible actors it is nothing short of cringe-worthy.
The story is certainly the strongest part of 'Population Zero'. Quite an interesting plot line is developed and it drives the movie along well. Director and star Julian T. Pinder also quite impressed me. He had just enough charisma to carry the film. Some of the dialogue he had to work with wasn't particularly well written at times, so his acting can come across clunky on occasion. I don't think that was entirely his fault though. There's a half decent film hidden somewhere in here. Just some slightly better pacing and some script tweaks and this could have been something special.
The story is certainly the strongest part of 'Population Zero'. Quite an interesting plot line is developed and it drives the movie along well. Director and star Julian T. Pinder also quite impressed me. He had just enough charisma to carry the film. Some of the dialogue he had to work with wasn't particularly well written at times, so his acting can come across clunky on occasion. I don't think that was entirely his fault though. There's a half decent film hidden somewhere in here. Just some slightly better pacing and some script tweaks and this could have been something special.
I'm Losing My Touch
dcarsonhagy14 April 2017
Warning: Spoilers
"Population Zero" was not at all what I thought it would be! That was good news for me because I found myself thoroughly engrossed just about the entire time.
The movie is documentary about real events that happened in Yellowstone National Park. Three young men were brutally murdered. After the murders, the killer immediately turned himself in to police, gave him his statement, and that seemed to be the end of it. Boy, was everybody in for a surprise. The killer's appointed attorney seemed to find a loophole in the law, and the killer walked free. That loophole will be explained during the movie.
First, I was impressed especially by the cinematography. Some of the scenes of the sunsets are breathtaking. I questioned from the beginning of the movie "is this real, or is it fake?" Towards the end, however, the answer became obvious. I thought whoever came up with this explanation had his picture well thought out. I will have to admit, this one had me fooled right up until the end, which (with a little different editing) could have REALLY made a different impact. Had the original "Blair Witch" gone this way when it was released, it would have had an even bigger impact on its audience. All in all, I quite enjoyed this.
I do not think this movie was rated, but it contains some disturbing images, as well as language and violence.
The movie is documentary about real events that happened in Yellowstone National Park. Three young men were brutally murdered. After the murders, the killer immediately turned himself in to police, gave him his statement, and that seemed to be the end of it. Boy, was everybody in for a surprise. The killer's appointed attorney seemed to find a loophole in the law, and the killer walked free. That loophole will be explained during the movie.
First, I was impressed especially by the cinematography. Some of the scenes of the sunsets are breathtaking. I questioned from the beginning of the movie "is this real, or is it fake?" Towards the end, however, the answer became obvious. I thought whoever came up with this explanation had his picture well thought out. I will have to admit, this one had me fooled right up until the end, which (with a little different editing) could have REALLY made a different impact. Had the original "Blair Witch" gone this way when it was released, it would have had an even bigger impact on its audience. All in all, I quite enjoyed this.
I do not think this movie was rated, but it contains some disturbing images, as well as language and violence.
When Film imitates art imitating life
kosmasp9 March 2017
There was a lot of thought put into this movie and I think most will see that this is not an actual documentary. That being said, it doesn't make it any less of a movie. So while this isn't exactly what some people advertise it to be, this is so close to being that, that whatever you think of it, won't really matter.
Well apart from the fact that some people will question your intelligence maybe. But this only showcases how good the work of the filmmaker at hand is here. It also showcases how crazy some laws are and maybe they need to change. There have been faux documentaries before and there will be quite a few after this, but the style of this, might make it more accessible to a broader audience than some other outputs have been. Whatever the case (no pun intended), this is gripping and told very well
Well apart from the fact that some people will question your intelligence maybe. But this only showcases how good the work of the filmmaker at hand is here. It also showcases how crazy some laws are and maybe they need to change. There have been faux documentaries before and there will be quite a few after this, but the style of this, might make it more accessible to a broader audience than some other outputs have been. Whatever the case (no pun intended), this is gripping and told very well
FAKE STORY + UTTER WASTE OF TIME
mcmcnamara-1736612 November 2022
This is a very poorly written, poorly executed, poorly filmed, poorly narrated, and poorly acted faux film.
The guise of this film is also very misleading because it alludes to the fact that this is a true story. That alone sucks you in because of the intrigue behind the case. It's very easy to tell soon in that all of this is just a bunch of BS. The so called "investigator" aka Julian seems to be very self-centered. I disliked this so much that it actually compelled me to create this account just to leave a review to warn people not to waste their time watching such a deplorable piece of cinema. Grrr.
The guise of this film is also very misleading because it alludes to the fact that this is a true story. That alone sucks you in because of the intrigue behind the case. It's very easy to tell soon in that all of this is just a bunch of BS. The so called "investigator" aka Julian seems to be very self-centered. I disliked this so much that it actually compelled me to create this account just to leave a review to warn people not to waste their time watching such a deplorable piece of cinema. Grrr.
Horrible acting
ea_morrison7 August 2022
Well done nothing
notany8 March 2017
This film is made documentary style and quite well. It's very slow burn style I liked and the scenes are beautiful. It's the story that can't carry the film. If I want watch TV for an hour, I don't wan't to watch fake documentary. Yes, it has some drama an thrill but it's only purpose seems to be there because it has to.
Wasted an hour for a very short story stretched unnecessarily. Slow burn is OK, but it must deliver. Four stars because it was technically well done.
Wasted an hour for a very short story stretched unnecessarily. Slow burn is OK, but it must deliver. Four stars because it was technically well done.
Actually Quite Good
megamelfina-995-94767510 December 2017
I went into this movie knowing nothing about it, really. It was on Hulu, and I figured it was going to be your standard found-footage horror schlock. I was mistaken! This is actually less 'horror' and very much more 'crime drama'. You will find yourself invested in the characters and the story, and there is no gore, monsters, aliens, etc. to be found. The film is very much about the characters and the crime.
One of the best things about this film is how it was shot and put together. Although I knew it was fiction, it seems very real, like a true documentary. The actors do a great job too. However, it's the mystery that will really reel you in and keep you captivated.
Definitely worth a watch!
One of the best things about this film is how it was shot and put together. Although I knew it was fiction, it seems very real, like a true documentary. The actors do a great job too. However, it's the mystery that will really reel you in and keep you captivated.
Definitely worth a watch!
That was fun
ggswcd5 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Seriously didn't know anything about this film, but part of the way through things seemed a liiiiiiittle off for a documentary, but I went with it. As soon as it ended, I was completely mixed: was I shocked, pissed, elated, confused or completely in awe that I didn't know it wasn't real? The answer - all the above. Totally worth watching; if for nothing else the acting is actually quite good and the loophole and fracking storylines are thought provoking.
Would have been interesting if true
jake_fantom28 January 2021
This one actually sucked me in. I thought I was watching one of those documentaries where the director makes himself the star of the film and hogs all the camera time with his ruminations. The plot, if true, would have made a fascinating documentary, but since this is all just complete fiction dressed up to look like a bad documentary, it's completely worthless as a film, as sheer a waste of time as I have ever wasted time on.
Julian T. Pinder - A very very talented human being.
mistermassive7 March 2017
A bit of background is needed here. I watch a great deal of documentaries and although I enjoy entertainment movies as well I specifically wanted to see this as it referenced many notions, experiences of my youth. I have not been to Yellowstone but I did grow up in this region. I also am an Investigation Discovery Channel fan. So seeing a legal documentary about a murder in an area I grew up in sounded like a worthwhile viewing. So this video appears in a search of documentary.
So now were into the film... no spoilers just remarks follow. Julian T. Pinder - This is straight up "True Crime" documentary and I am simply astounded by all I am hearing from the family and the "confession" by Dwayne Nelson. So far the film is 100% the real thing to me.
This is simply an excellent story. As with anything the story is the heart of the matter. I have to say without knowing a thing about this film I was masterfully told a deep, twisting story through the vehicle of a true crime documentary with 100% of the styling I like in those shows.
I also cannot call this anything like a "found video film." Those seem to suck a bit in my opinion for various reasons and I know it's more a generational thing to enjoy those types of movies but this film is made to be "the real thing" which by acting standards is a tough job. You really have to believe the people and especially in the aftermath of tragedy. The heroics, the sleuthing, the discussions, the players....shucks that is why I watch these crime shows so often and this film was like a very special presentation (of the highest order) as the story progressed. Was it over the top, hell no! It features everything I am used to seeing and very real occurrences that play out across the nation with murder.
So in a word from someone who watches endless hours of video (no one will hire me, been heading towards homelessness for 2 years now)....this film is Brilliant. Well acted through and through (maybe not the camera man?), the presentation is painfully spot on! I am very happy I knew what little I did going in and literally grinning by the credits. I won't give away my thoughts on the "tells" that gave way to the illusion of the documentary and making it start to feel like a movie, a work of fiction. I really didn't want to mention that as I stated this Julian Pinder guy is a rock star with this thing. It seriously blows so many big film budgeted movies out of the water easily and would be on par with - The Life of David Gale (2003).
So now were into the film... no spoilers just remarks follow. Julian T. Pinder - This is straight up "True Crime" documentary and I am simply astounded by all I am hearing from the family and the "confession" by Dwayne Nelson. So far the film is 100% the real thing to me.
This is simply an excellent story. As with anything the story is the heart of the matter. I have to say without knowing a thing about this film I was masterfully told a deep, twisting story through the vehicle of a true crime documentary with 100% of the styling I like in those shows.
I also cannot call this anything like a "found video film." Those seem to suck a bit in my opinion for various reasons and I know it's more a generational thing to enjoy those types of movies but this film is made to be "the real thing" which by acting standards is a tough job. You really have to believe the people and especially in the aftermath of tragedy. The heroics, the sleuthing, the discussions, the players....shucks that is why I watch these crime shows so often and this film was like a very special presentation (of the highest order) as the story progressed. Was it over the top, hell no! It features everything I am used to seeing and very real occurrences that play out across the nation with murder.
So in a word from someone who watches endless hours of video (no one will hire me, been heading towards homelessness for 2 years now)....this film is Brilliant. Well acted through and through (maybe not the camera man?), the presentation is painfully spot on! I am very happy I knew what little I did going in and literally grinning by the credits. I won't give away my thoughts on the "tells" that gave way to the illusion of the documentary and making it start to feel like a movie, a work of fiction. I really didn't want to mention that as I stated this Julian Pinder guy is a rock star with this thing. It seriously blows so many big film budgeted movies out of the water easily and would be on par with - The Life of David Gale (2003).
Stolen Premise?
jon-stokes2125 August 2019
Although it shows this was filmed on a limited budget the story was decently delivered. The story certainly is sadly interesting.
Apparently we also have an alleged author here that wrote a book nobody bought (or else he wouldn't be angry) is mad someone else is shining a light on an actual real life event?!?!?! According to this persons viewpoint there should have been only a single book/documentary on 9/11 as well?!?!
Apparently we also have an alleged author here that wrote a book nobody bought (or else he wouldn't be angry) is mad someone else is shining a light on an actual real life event?!?!?! According to this persons viewpoint there should have been only a single book/documentary on 9/11 as well?!?!
The Cops Gave It Away
JohnGaultProSe25 April 2021
About 9 minutes in I could tell that the cop was an actor and had to check on the credibility of the story. Total BS. I'm not sure whether to put spoilers or not? I find this being listed as a Documentary to be offensive.
Mind bending docudrama testing whether Truth is Stranger than Fiction
realneato18 April 2017
I loved this film! Good twist on use of legal issues, alt-right political beliefs, and structure of the film as it tracks down the cast of characters involved in the story. It is better as a whole to simply watch this without any preconceived notions or background re the film's subject matter. It certainly sparks greater discussions with family/friends after you've watched it. The beauty of the film is how the audience/individual viewer becomes a participant in the search for answers to this entire adventure.
For the reviewer(s) who discount the reality of what they've just seen after the fact, assume that those people consume a regular diet of sour grapes and vinegar and may not get the fact that they too just participated in a great adventure.
For the reviewer(s) who discount the reality of what they've just seen after the fact, assume that those people consume a regular diet of sour grapes and vinegar and may not get the fact that they too just participated in a great adventure.
Blair Witch goes to Jellystone.
dbanzai-1902619 August 2021
Poke a sharp stick in my eye!
russelljna22 March 2017
Warning: Spoilers
I wish I did not just see this on Amazon and not do any research. I love great films and I love documentaries - writing a film to be a documentary is a waste of my time. If I did find interest in something like this - I would also be a fan of the TV show Finding Big Foot. So if you love that show - you will love this. I actually am mad at myself for not reviewing the case/info online first - which I typically do. I also kept telling myself that this is good news that this did not happen and there are not 3 young men dead. Well that is short lived and the only thing positive about this is I have not wasted space on a video shelf. Instead I just wasted the money and it will forever be in my cloud video library to remind me of how stupid it was and always do a little more research before buying a film. Oh yeah - and I cannot get that hour and 1/2 back! Do not state something is a documentary when it is not - find another word to describe your film and keep people on the hook and trick them into buying something. That is how they get their numbers up - goes straight to video and give a false description of what the movie is and then have everyone buy/rent your fraudulent movie marked as a documentary! Stupid.
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