The Quiet Earth

The Quiet Earth

Plot

The Quiet Earth is a 1985 New Zealand science fiction film that tells the story of Zed (Bruno Lawrence), a charismatic and eccentric scientist who may be the last human survivor on earth. The movie begins with an eerie calm, as Zed wakes up to find himself in an isolated environment. As he explores his surroundings, he realizes that something is amiss - there are no signs of life anywhere. Initially, he thinks he might have gone crazy or is dreaming, but as the days pass and he finds no evidence of human existence, he starts to comprehend the magnitude of the catastrophe. The film then flashes back to a few weeks prior, when Zed was conducting an experiment to create a device that would allow humans to communicate telepathically. However, something goes terribly wrong during the test, and the machine malfunctions, causing a catastrophic effect on the planet. As Zed navigates his new reality, he begins to uncover clues about what happened before the disaster struck. He finds abandoned buildings, cars, and streets, but no signs of life. He also discovers a series of cryptic messages scrawled on walls, which hint at the events leading up to the apocalypse. Throughout the film, Zed's mental state becomes increasingly fragile as he struggles to come to terms with his new solitary existence. His attempts to find meaning and purpose in this desolate world lead him down a path of self-discovery and introspection. He starts to question the value of human life and whether it is worth fighting for. The Quiet Earth is a thought-provoking exploration of loneliness, isolation, and the human condition. The film's slow-burning pace allows the audience to immerse themselves in Zed's world, as he navigates this eerie new reality. With its haunting atmosphere, philosophical themes, and memorable performance by Bruno Lawrence, The Quiet Earth remains a cult classic that has left a lasting impact on fans of science fiction cinema.

The Quiet Earth screenshot 1
The Quiet Earth screenshot 2

Reviews

G

Genesis

This film also shattered my faith in 80s movies.

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6/21/2025, 1:28:09 AM
E

Everett

What if you wake up one day and find you're the only person left in the world? Amusement parks become your personal playground, supermarkets your unlimited buffet, and the roads are always clear. Every door is open, every bed is available. You could wear your underwear on your head or run around naked without an audience... For me, as long as there's broadband, I wouldn't be lonely. But for a tech enthusiast, if the computer boot-up speed is slower than 50% of the nation’s users, there's simply no time to feel lonely; there are configurations to tweak!

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6/17/2025, 7:47:04 PM
R

Renata

That's a minimal personal comment with almost nothing to translate. If I were to *assume* you meant "The Quiet Earth" was just okay, a very basic translation that captures that sentiment would be: "It was alright." However, if you want me to add a little nuance or indicate a lack of excitement, even with such minimal input, I could offer: "It was okay, I guess." (Suggests a lack of strong positive impression) To give a much better translation, please give me a longer comment about the whole film review to translate instead.

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6/17/2025, 7:42:51 PM
K

Kenneth

"Before the woman appears, it's a top-tier, classic depiction of solitude. After her arrival, the film sharply declines. And once the Māori character is introduced, it becomes utter garbage. To showcase such drastically different levels of quality within a single film, this movie is truly bizarre."

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6/16/2025, 2:31:33 PM