Movie Review: I Think We’re Alone Now. The Apocalypse With A Twist.

Starring Peter Dinklage and Elle Fanning
Theatrical Release: Friday, September 14, 2018* (*check local listings)
Starring Peter Dinklage, Elle Fanning
Directed By Reed Morano
Written By Mike Makowsky
Produced By Fred Berger, Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, Fernando Loureiro & Roberto Vasconcellos, David Ginsberg
Distributed By Momentum Pictures
Run Time 1 hr 39 min

Reviewer Rating: ★★★★★

Sometimes you watch a film that completely catches you off guard. Such is the case with I Think We’re Alone Now. I had a preconceived notion of what I thought this movie would be – a story of a loner who falls in love with a girl he meets unexpectedly in a post-apocalyptic setting, but I was wrong; well, sort of. There is a deeper message embedded within the film but I’m sure everyone will walk away with their own interpretation. I’ll tell you mine…at the end, of course.

The acting is superb. The phenomenal Peter Dinklage as the lead character, Dell, made me want to pay attention more intently. And Elle Fanning shines in her portrayal of free-spirited Grace. Dell is alone in the small town he has lived in most of his life. Taking up residence in the town’s library, where he previously worked, there isn’t much detail to his back story nor do we fully understand what happened to everyone in town. As it is, Dell believes he is the only person alive on earth after a mysterious plague or some sort of illness wipes out everyone in his community. Dell’s methodical ways of keeping his life in order help him to cope with his loneliness and provide structure for his daily life. He goes from house to house, “clearing” them of their dead occupants, and salvaging useful items such as batteries. Dell’s routine seems fitting for someone who worked in a library before everyone succumbed to the extinction level disease.

Movie Review: <i>I Think We’re Alone Now</i>. The Apocalypse With A Twist. 2

Elle Fanning and Peter Dinklage in I THINK WE’RE ALONE NOW

As Dell continues to live in the mindset of being the last man on the planet, the sound of fireworks and laughter jolt him awake in the middle of the night. Enter the fiery and inquisitive Grace, played to perfection by Elle Fanning. Fanning truly shines in her portrayal. Grace sort of inserts herself into Dell’s life, despite his repeated attempts to boot her out of town. But I think Dell wants this change in spite of himself. Eventually, the two begin a routine, led by Dell’s experienced hand, and they begin clearing out and cleaning all the houses in town. But there is something off about Grace. She’s hiding something but it’s not clear what her secret is. A scar on the back of her neck, hidden by her long blond hair, offers a clue that she’s experienced something profound in her life but she’s reluctant to share that bit of information with Dell.

The writing is outstanding, but it is the duality of director Reed Morano’s deft hand that brings to life writer Mike Makowsky’s words. Throughout I Think We’re Alone Now, there are long periods of silence, at least until Grace arrives. Seeing the contrast from Dell’s life pre-Grace, it’s as if Morano wants you to long for, even miss, the quiet solitude symbolized by the library’s presence, which is just as much a character in the film as Dell and Grace. Most of the scenes take place inside the library, which feels like a safe haven for Dell who likes the structure of what a library signifies. There is an order to how things are done and, when done properly, they eliminate chaos. Interestingly, the tagline of the film is, “In the end, chaos will find you.” Grace is the chaos to Dell’s orderly life. And being quite the chatter box, she seems to start chaffing Dell a bit, but things begin to take a turn in their relationship when secrets are revealed. Grace finds files in Dell’s office that lead her to question him about his past. While Grace has been more forthcoming with a fair amount of information, her real secret is magnanimous in comparison to the cataloged photos she uncovers.

The twist in the story is what truly made my jaw hit the floor. While there are some slow moments in I Think We’re Alone Now, it’s not boring to watch. The gradual progression of Dell and Grace’s relationship feels natural and real. While I’m sure Dell thinks he and Grace are the last two people on the planet, the shocking revelation he gets one morning rocks him to his core.

As I mentioned previously, there is a deeper message embedded in I Think We’re Alone Now. This is what I took away from the movie — if you are complacent and uncomplicated in how you live your life, you will have a very uneventful journey. If you open yourself up to the possibilities of life outside of your so-called comfort zone, the world is waiting with endless adventures. What did you take away from this film?

I won’t spoil the surprise twist. The impact it had on me was because of how invested I became in Dell and Grace. I Think We’re Alone Now is a surprisingly entertaining film, especially since there is minimal dialogue, very little special effects outside of how decayed and emaciated the bodies appear, and a very rustic feeling. If you’re looking for an interesting film with two truly outstanding performances by the lead actors, then you must watch I Think We’re Alone Now.

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Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.