Reviews: Save Yourselves! (2020) Movie Review
Genres: Sci-Fi, Comedy, Adventure
Subgenres:
Our take on Save Yourselves! (2020) explores its plot, scares, and horror highlights to help fans decide if it deserves a place on their watchlist.
Save Yourselves! (2020), directed by Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson, is a sci-fi comedy that blends satire, relationship drama, and apocalyptic chaos into one delightfully offbeat package. The story follows Su (Sunita Mani) and Jack (John Reynolds), a millennial Brooklyn couple who decide to unplug from technology and spend a peaceful week in a remote cabin—only to find out that Earth is under attack by mysterious alien creatures. With no internet, no phone, and barely any survival skills, they must navigate their crumbling reality in ways that are both hilarious and surprisingly poignant.
Save Yourselves! (2020) – A Quirky Sci-Fi Comedy with a Darkly Funny Take on Modern Disconnection
Plot, Themes, and Character Development
The film explores modern dependence on technology, our self-absorbed detachment from the world, and the paralysis of a generation raised on convenience. Jack and Su’s journey isn’t just about escaping the apocalypse, but about waking up from their complacency and redefining their priorities. Their relatable millennial anxieties and absurd responses to their predicament make the film a refreshing and smartly satirical take on both sci-fi and relationship tropes.
Acting and Cinematography
The chemistry between Sunita Mani and John Reynolds is the heart of the film. Their comedic timing, awkward bickering, and gradual unraveling under stress make their characters believable and engaging. Mani, in particular, brings a layer of vulnerability to Su’s character, making her more than just a quirky archetype. Reynolds balances Jack’s well-meaning but hapless personality with just the right amount of charm.
The cinematography by Matt Clegg emphasizes the contrast between nature’s serenity and the absurd alien invasion. The rural setting, with its wide, tranquil shots, serves as both a peaceful escape and an eerie backdrop for the chaos unfolding beyond their awareness. The lo-fi aesthetic of the aliens (furry, footstool-like "pouffes") adds to the film’s comedic tone while keeping an unsettling edge.
Directing Style, Strengths, and Weaknesses
Directors Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson craft a film that leans into absurdity while delivering biting social commentary. Their strength lies in grounding the humor in realism, making the characters’ reactions feel authentically clueless yet endearing. The film’s subtle visual storytelling—such as shots of Su and Jack aimlessly floating in a lake, oblivious to the world’s end—reinforces its themes without over-explaining.
However, the film’s third act takes a divisive turn, shifting from sharp satire to a more ambiguous and abrupt ending, which may frustrate viewers looking for a stronger narrative payoff.
Strengths:
- Sharp satire of modern dependency on technology – The film’s humor and themes cleverly dissect millennial culture.
- Lovable lead performances – Sunita Mani and John Reynolds carry the film with charm and humor.
- Quirky alien invasion concept – The footstool-like aliens are an inventive, humorous take on extraterrestrial threats.
- Well-balanced comedy and tension – The film maintains an engaging balance between absurd humor and genuine suspense.
Weaknesses:
- Abrupt ending – The film leaves more questions than answers, which may not satisfy all viewers.
- Limited action and world-building – While the character focus is engaging, the larger sci-fi elements feel underexplored.
- Not scary enough for horror fans, not deep enough for hardcore sci-fi lovers – The film lives in a tonal middle ground that might not fully satisfy either audience.
Final Verdict: 7/10
Save Yourselves! is a smart, funny, and eerily relevant satire on modern life wrapped in a sci-fi premise. While its quirky humor and millennial commentary shine, the film’s lack of resolution and underdeveloped sci-fi elements hold it back from reaching true greatness. Fans of indie sci-fi comedies like Safety Not Guaranteed or Sorry to Bother You will likely enjoy its mix of absurdity and insight.
Sources Used to Shape This Review
Insights in this review are drawn from director interviews, fan commentary, production notes, and long-form breakdowns across genre-specific platforms. Content is written uniquely and reviewed for accuracy.
- Save Yourselves! Rating Scores
- Our Score: 7/10
- Overall Score: 7.52/10
- MetaCritic: 6.7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 8.9/10
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