Elevation
Directed by George NolfiA single father and two women venture from the safety of their homes to face monstrous creatures to save the life of a young boy.
Where to Watch Elevation
Cast of Elevation
Elevation Ratings & Reviews
- jackmeatDecember 8, 2024My quick rating - 5.5/10. I wasn't at all familiar with this one. A single father and two determined women embark on a perilous journey through a creature-ridden world to save a young boy's life. Starring Anthony Mackie and Morena Baccarin, this sci-fi action film aims to deliver thrills and emotional stakes but struggles to rise above its pacing issues and incomplete story. Mackie steps out of his Marvel comfort zone, delivering a solid performance as a desperate father. His portrayal carries genuine weight, especially in the more intense moments. Baccarin as Nina matches his energy, providing both resilience and depth. Their chemistry helps to ground the movie's more fantastical elements in human emotion, giving viewers characters they can root for. The creatures, reminiscent of the beast in The Relic, are a visual highlight. Their design is eerie and imposing, but the movie leans on their presence more for tension than outright terror. Fans of creature features might find them intriguing, but those expecting a horror-centric experience are going to be underwhelmed. The story takes cues from movies like A Quiet Place, plunging viewers into a world where the "how" and "why" of the alien creatures' existence are treated as background details. While this approach works for building mystery, it also leaves a frustrating number of questions unanswered. It feels like part two of a trilogy, with gaps in the story that might have been better addressed in a more cohesive first installment. The pacing is another weak spot. Though there are moments of excitement, too much time is spent on slow, dialogue-heavy scenes that don't always advance the plot. The tension waxes and wanes unevenly, which undercuts the urgency of the mission. Still, the flick has an interesting concept and potential for expansion in a sequel. The dynamic between the leads, coupled with the ominous atmosphere and a few well-executed action sequences, offers glimpses of what the film could have been with a tighter script and more balanced pacing. Overall, it is a decent watch for fans of sci-fi action which I do fall into but falls short of its potential due to its incomplete story and uneven flow. While it might not elevate itself into greatness, it sets the stage for a continuation and/or a prequel that could provide the answers and excitement this installment lacked.
- Kevin WardJuly 1, 2025Not great, but not bad either. Never really felt the tension that we’re meant to be feeling. The best high concept thrillers are often setup to create this clear sense of tension. Sometimes it’s like I Am Legend where you’re safe in the light, but in danger when it’s dark; or it could be like A Quiet Place where you’re safe when you’re silent, but in danger you make noise. Elevations setup is certainly trying for a similar high concept. The problem is there’s not really an interesting way to indicate this on screen. Sure they have these markers in the ground indicating where the 8000 ft line is, but really those raise a lot of unanswerable questions about why 8000 ft, who setup these markers, and why do these monsters seemingly hit an invisible wall? The film tries to give us some kind of cue with the monsters distant red light and also the magnetic compass thingy, but neither of those indicators is ever used to create any kind of tension. In fact, one of the characters usually has to call out that one of the monsters is nearby before we get any kind of indicator of danger. Just wasted opportunities for tension in my opinion. Mackie and Baccarin are both good, but deserved better. So many unanswered questions that I’m not sure I would trust the filmmakers to provide answers. It’s fine for streaming but I’m kind of baffled this got a theatrical run. Did y’all know this had a post credits scene? 😱
- ZokkiieJune 22, 2025Elevation tries to blend sci-fi and emotional drama like A Quiet Place, but doesn’t quite pull it off. Anthony Mackie is solid, and the eerie visuals are decent, but the story is slow and a bit messy. It has potential, but lacks the tension and heart that made A Quiet Place work.
- Matthias_812April 2, 2025Brain dead SyFy Channel-level post-apocalyptic story that is blatantly trying to cash in on A Quiet Place. It really couldn't be more generic with its run of the mill plot and dodgy CGI. Having to survive above 8,000 feet there are some nice sweeping landscape shots and the color is rich. After we find out (sort of) the monsters' weakness, the film ends. There's even an after credits sequence that alludes to a possible sequel. Elevation isn't an unwatchable abomination but there's too little substance to munch on.
- John DayFebruary 9, 2025"Elevation" is a movie with a compelling plot, but a weak direction and execution. Unfortunately it does not exploit the plot fully, and the epilogue really doesn't bring much of a closure. This could have been a very good TV series if it pushed pushed in this direction.
- ghostsquadMay 24, 2025Very hard to stay immersed in this movie. Nothing makes sense, nothing explained.
- Arron BrownApril 12, 2025A solid twist on dangerous world’s theme Just wish there was a pre quel to build up that story
- jwevansMarch 16, 2025Not great but fun
- Gerald InmanMay 12, 2025Those that enjoy alternative reality films, you will like this one! Like many of these films, you are brought into an already existing circumstance and then you follow the characters through the plot and story to understand what is going on. If you like this type of movie, you should enjoy “Elevation”. For those that want more drama or action, perhaps this is not the film for you. “Elevation” starts out slow at first because the writers have to walk the audience through scenes to explain the plot and what is going on. By 1/3 of the film, drama and action picks up and keeps you focused throughout the movie. Decent acting from Anthony Mackie and Morena Baccarin so the movie is worth watching to see the chemistry between the two characters portrayed in the film.
- MKApril 21, 2025Although mildly entertaining, the plot was weak, predictable, and full of more holes than those attacked by the creatures. The world-building was told, but not explained or substantiated, never dealing with any of the unexplained “parameters” the audience is expected to simply accept without question. I watched because of Morena Baccarin, from the landmark Firefly/Serenity franchise. Regardless of being produced by some of the“Quiet Place” team, it fails to deliver.
- KyGunApril 15, 2025Very interesting storyline. After all the cabal want a reset.
- neytotheneyFebruary 23, 2025They're using the telescope backwards at 1:23:55. This is heresy.
- Tiago NazarethFebruary 21, 2025Although I felt it seemed to miss a number of story lines, it certainly added to the mystery of the film, and left it open for a prequel / sequel in the future, with some surprising twists in the end. The visuals are simply stunning with beautiful scenery, and the fresh creature design was interesting. The lead actors delivered a solid performance, and we were treated to some great action throughout its short run time. In my opinion it’s definitely worth a watch
- adam3199February 15, 2025Cool for a low budget movie, wo rewatch
- RyezooFebruary 4, 2025Liked the concept, even though it’s just A Quiet Place rip off. This movie doesn’t hit any new story beats and is extremely predictable because of it. Anthony Mackie is fine in this, but man is Morena Baccarin terrible and miscast in this. She usually pretty good in everything I’ve seen her in, here laughably bad in scenes. The monsters don’t look great but what does and will give the film credit is the atmosphere and the beauty shots of nature. It really helps hide how cheap this movie is. It’s not going to kill you to watch but you’ll see the ending coming from 8000 feet away.
