Lost in Silence: A Review of “No One Will Save You” – A Gripping Sci-Fi Thriller

No One Will Save You: A Review of the Almost Wordless Sci-Fi Thriller

A Quieter Place

Set in rural America, No One Will Save You presents a chilling tale of a young woman’s fight against malevolent alien invaders. Directed and written by Brian Duffield, the film takes a bold approach by incorporating minimal dialogue, distinguishing itself from other popular sci-fi thrillers like A Quiet Place. However, while this stylistic choice works best in certain stretches, the narrative ultimately becomes muddled and disjointed, leaving viewers with a disappointing final act.

Kaitlyn Dever Shines

Lead actress Kaitlyn Dever, known for her standout performances in films such as Booksmart and Netflix’s Unbelievable, delivers a commendable portrayal of a young woman whose peaceful life is disrupted by an uninvited late-night visitor. As she discovers the true nature of the intruder—an alien with extraordinary features reminiscent of a 1950s science fiction film—Dever’s character finds herself unexpectedly fighting for survival. It is in these intense cat and mouse scenes that the film truly captivates, despite occasional flawed special effects.

Astounding Atmosphere

Supported by an immersive score from Joseph Trapanese and Duffield’s commendable efforts to elevate a limited budget into a high-quality production, No One Will Save You exudes the atmosphere of a traditional cinematic experience. The film successfully utilizes its setting, tense pacing, and unnerving portrayal of the alien invaders to create an environment that draws viewers in.

Narrative Fatigue

While the film initially sparks intrigue with its throwback aesthetic and enigmatic plot, Duffield’s slow drip-drip storytelling ultimately proves frustrating. As the story heads towards a major reveal, the lack of clarity and constant withholding of information begin to wear on the audience’s patience. Similar to last year’s Don’t Worry Darling, the desire to uncover the truth gradually transforms into annoyance and, later, disappointment. The film’s final act rushes through an incoherent explanation, leaving viewers grasping for answers.

Mining Trauma Without Depth

Like many genre films today, No One Will Save You delves into the theme of trauma. However, Duffield fails to provide genuine depth or emotional resonance in his exploration. The film becomes an awkward tonal jumble, leaving audiences unsatisfied with a perplexing final scene that attempts to convey something, but ultimately falls flat. Despite Dever’s powerful performance, the rambling mess of the last act overshadows any potential redemption for the film.

A Big Swing, But a Big Miss

No One Will Save You is an ambitious attempt at a genre-bending sci-fi thriller. Although Dever’s fiery performance adds considerable value to the film, ultimately, its disjointed narrative and lack of emotional resonance make it fall short of its potential. While the film’s atmospheric qualities are commendable, they cannot compensate for a story that leaves viewers yearning for a more coherent and satisfying conclusion.

No One Will Save You is currently available for streaming on Hulu in the US and Disney+ in the UK and other territories.