Yet another standard of the continuous streaming content cycle is the maligned sci-fi genre, a formerly acquired taste of thoughtful literary types now synonymous with action, Star Wars, and special effects. No One Will Save You, Hulu’s new addition to the thrilling side of alien cinema, sports good reviews and praise for its lead actress but comes with some heavy caveats that you should be aware of before the journey.
The Plot of No One Will Save You
Kaitlyn Dever plays a young woman alone in her house, living isolated from society thanks to an unrevealed reason. One night, strange intruders appear in her home, and she can only rely on herself for help. Worse yet, these invaders quickly appear extraterrestrial, and their motives on Earth do not seem friendly.
Brian Duffield’s Abundance of Sci-Fi Thrills
Mostly known for co-writing Love and Monsters and Underwater, Brian Duffield comes into his second attempt as screenwriter/director with notable, if mixed, credits. Spontaneous, Duffield’s directorial debut, wove teen comedy and horror together for a worthwhile blend of excitement and darkness, but this time around, his approach seems far more weighty. No One Will Save You is built on grief and loneliness from the onset, and bringing home his metaphor-laden message might not translate as well as the base thrills of the film.
Though the promise of meaningful takeaways in a science fiction movie might not sound original, here is the gimmick for which No One Will Save You earns its creative reputation: 99% of the film has no dialogue. Since we often only see Dever’s character alone, her surprisingly gripping acting consists of only faces, grunts, screams, and movement; still, even scenes with multiple characters restrict themselves in the same manner. Unsuspecting viewers going in were already scratching their heads early on, but the confusing elements of what seems like a simple film are only just the beginning.
Kaitlyn Dever and the Magnetism of Horror Acting
Anyone who has seen Netflix’s Unbelievable knows Kaitlyn Dever is an incredible actress. Taking on the kind of unusual challenge that No One Will Save You presents means knowing your character inside and out while effectively conveying your work in every shot. Most viewers, even those annoyed by the writing approach and confused by the unique way the film reveals information, will find Dever’s performance committed and effective. Reviews online often mention her performance as a highlight, though audiences on the usual film websites are more divided without spewing an atypical amount of hate.
Is No One Will Save You Worth Your Time?
Peculiar and well-shot, No One Will Save You is not an easily forgettable experience, but this film rides the line between recommendation and condemnation. Simply put, the film has a lot to it without quite being enough of anything; the A Quiet Place-reminiscent script, serviceable alien CGI, and lack of cohesion in the metaphors bring this movie down in quality but do not take away everything. Sci-fi horror diehards, indie fans, and general audiences alike will find things good and bad here, so all we can do is warn you that No One Will Save You might not meet high expectations.
No One Will Save You is streaming now on Hulu.
