The Domestics (2018) (Movie Review)

The Domestics (2018) Some of the posters read “Mad Max meets The Purge”. I don’t see why not! I thought I was going to be bored and hate this film. But it turned out to be a pleasant surprise.

In 2018, we were still in the middle of The Walking Dead and the post-apocalyptic was working like a charm. That’s where this film came in, but without including any zombies this time, just groups of totally degenerate and dangerous people. In a film like this, there’s bound to be brutality, lots of gratuitous violence and injustice galore. But there’s nothing unbearable for anyone who’s ever seen one of these films or series.

Kate Bosworth was never an actress I really liked, despite interesting roles such as in The Immaculate Room (2022). I find her really lacking in charisma. However, just like in the film I’ve just mentioned, I liked her more and more as the film went on. I’ll continue to see her in films that aren’t high on my list of priorities. Who knows, I’ll probably change my mind. Tyler Hoechlin, on the other hand, has immense charisma. A very good actor.

As is actress and model Sonoya Mizuno, who is a real pleasure to watch here. She barely speaks, but it’s all in her eyes and facial expressions. She played in Civil War (2024), which I didn’t really like. I’m very keen to see her series Devs, which only has one season and 8 episodes. The story of this feature film is as follows: The United States is on the brink of extinction. Political conflict, disease, poverty and overpopulation are causing a shortage of resources, and the government sees only one way out: to eradicate all life in the country using poison. The few survivors are forming tribes, ready to use any means to defend their territory. To escape this brutal post-apocalyptic world, Nina (Kate Bosworth, Superman Returns) and Mark (Tyler Hoechlin, Everybody Wants Some!!) embark on a desperate journey across the terrain of the rival groups. A fight to the death soon ensues.

Mike P. Nelson has also righted the ship with Wrong Turn – The Foundation (2021), which was much better than the two pieces of rubbish that preceded it. Let’s hope he keeps up the momentum.

My Rating