In the not-so-distant future, humanity’s actions have triggered a cataclysmic rise in sea levels, submerging vast swathes of the planet. The remnants of civilization are locked in a relentless war for dwindling land and resources, fought between the last two remaining continents. At the heart of this conflict lies a single, devastating weapon: the world’s last bomb, securely hidden within a remote ocean outpost. A team of four watchmen, cut off from all communication with the outside world, guards this top-secret facility. Three months after their tour of duty expires, a derelict vessel drifts into view, devoid of passengers, carrying only four backpacks in place of the relief crew they were expecting.
Kate Bosworth in a scene from “Last Sentinel”
A Mirage of Mystery
From its cleverly edited trailer to the misleading tagline on the Russian poster, “Last Sentinel” desperately tries to present itself as a mystical thriller akin to “Triangle.” However, the film lacks any genuine “mystery of the last frontier.” Sadly, it doesn’t even come close to being a fantastic puzzle with sinister or supernatural undertones. Genre enthusiasts will likely be disappointed by the resolution of the intrigue. “Last Sentinel” is a prime example of a film where any ending you imagine while watching is far more interesting than the one presented on screen.
Scene from “Last Sentinel”
Timely Themes, Familiar Tropes
Estonian director Tanel Toom (“Truth and Justice,” “Confession”) began working on the project back in 2010, when conversations about global warming were already circulating, but people weren’t as concerned about climate change as they are now. Surprisingly, the film is being released at a time when its themes are most relevant – today, the dystopian setting doesn’t seem so far-fetched. However, viewers may be tired of post-apocalyptic stories about humanity destroying the planet through its actions, as green agendas are increasingly pushed on both big and small screens. Fortunately, “Last Sentinel” doesn’t resort to accusations and moralizing, unlike the recent series “Extrapolations.” Instead, the story focuses on how to live after a global catastrophe, and more importantly, whether it’s even possible.
Lucien Laviscount as Sullivan in a scene from “Last Sentinel”
Sinking Under the Weight of a Bland Plot
The main reason the film risks sinking like its post-apocalyptic world is the bland plot and uninspired characters. Ultimately, the script, written by Malachi Smyth (“Ghost in the Shell,” “The Score”), drags the entire team down. The only thing that keeps the film afloat is the decent acting, though the actors have little to work with. Thomas Kretschmann (“Stalingrad,” “The Pianist”) plays a typical sergeant who is the first to lose his mind and start terrorizing the team. There’s nothing particularly new about the character’s behavior – viewers have seen similar (self-)proclaimed leaders in sci-fi films like the space horror “Event Horizon” or the psychological thriller “Cube.” The characters played by Lucien Laviscount (“Emily in Paris,” “Love Beats Rhymes”) and Martin McCann (“Dark Justice,” “Survivalist”) initially bicker with each other, but their shared goal of leaving the outpost unites them. Which, again, isn’t the most original approach. The most sensible member of the group seems to be the reserved female corporal played by Kate Bosworth (“21,” “Straw Dogs”), who, however, makes grim statements about how “the only way to fix everything is to destroy humanity.” With such an introduction, it’s easy to guess which character to watch closely.
Kate Bosworth in a scene from “Last Sentinel”
Shallow Characters, Fleeting Tension
Although the plot is primarily a psychological drama, the characters are written extremely superficially. The tension between the characters quickly reaches a critical point, but just as quickly dissipates. The motivation of the ill-fated crew members remains off-screen: some are driven by civic duty, others by legal obligations. Information about each character’s past is limited to a couple of phrases, and the potential for development is cut short when the characters are removed from the plot. By the time the story reaches its logical climax, the fate of the survivors no longer evokes any interest.
Final Verdict
Even with the significantly reduced selection in Russian cinemas today, this kind of film is a drop in the ocean. Perhaps if you lower your expectations significantly before watching, “Last Sentinel” has a chance to survive at the box office. The film will probably find its audience, but it’s unlikely to be a sophisticated genre connoisseur.