No One Will Save You: A Silent Battle Against Inner Demons and Alien Invaders
Brinn (Kaitlyn Dever) lives a secluded life, far from the bustle of the city, rarely venturing outside her home. One night, her solitude is shattered by an alien invasion. She must fight for survival, confronting not only the aggressive extraterrestrial threat but also the haunting specters of her past, which prove to be just as terrifying.
Kaitlyn Dever as Brinn in “No One Will Save You”
A Symphony of Silence and Suspense
We are constantly engaged in internal monologues and dialogues, either berating or comforting ourselves, sometimes ignoring our instincts, other times heeding them. “No One Will Save You,” a new project from Hulu and director/writer Brian Duffield (“Spontaneous”), blends various inspirations, from Spielberg to Garland, from “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” to the more recent “The Vast of Night.” As the film progresses, echoes of “The Twilight Zone” become apparent. Here, the weight of past transgressions accompanies the present and dictates the future, almost entirely without dialogue, transforming this fusion of sci-fi, horror, thriller, and drama into one of the most inventive and poignant films of the season.
Kaitlyn Dever as Brinn in “No One Will Save You”
A Town Against One
Brinn prepares to go to the post office, agonizing over which dress to wear (ultimately choosing the green one). The townspeople universally despise her – the reasons for which are revealed in the epilogue – so she must proceed cautiously, keeping a low profile behind the wheel of her car. She makes a stop at her deceased mother’s grave, crafts dollhouses for clients and herself, writes letters to her best friend by the lake, and dances to old records. As evening descends, so do the shadows and the flying saucers. It’s unclear why the aliens have chosen this particular town for their invasion, but one thing is certain: they won’t leave without Brinn, no matter how diligently she locks her doors.
Scene from “No One Will Save You”
A One-Woman Show of Strength and Vulnerability
The film’s lean runtime of ninety minutes allows neither the protagonist nor the audience any respite. Duffield, whose “Spontaneous” similarly explored alien concepts by applying them to teenagers, masterfully constructs and meticulously details the setting, stylizing it to resemble the 1970s, while dedicating almost as much attention to Brinn’s psychological depth. The young woman, like her fortress-like home, becomes a full-fledged warrior in the battle against the extraterrestrial civilization, but her most significant struggle is internal. Brinn is lonely, isolated from society, traumatized, and scorned for an unforgivable tragedy that occurred in her childhood. The police spit on her, the church closes its doors, and her phone is flooded with threats. It’s as if this ostracism attracts the aliens, piquing their predatory interest.
Essentially, the film is a one-woman show starring Kaitlyn Dever. The star of “Booksmart” and the mini-series “Unbelievable” solidifies her status as one of the most talented actresses of her generation, consistently choosing original projects, offering fresh perspectives on familiar material, and masterfully portraying both fragility and resilience. After killing the first alien with a shard of glass to the head, Brinn, as the final girl, has plenty more surprises in store for the uninvited guests, the most important of which is her genuine identity and emotional depth.
The Power of Silence
Internal monologues and dialogues are incessant, but sometimes silence reigns supreme, and words cannot express even half of the overwhelming pain. The only phrase Brinn utters in the film is “forgive me” – one of humanity’s most valuable assets and indicators. “No One Will Save You” lives up to its title, but it also encourages viewers to take initiative, grieve, heal, and make the pivotal decision to move forward.