The independent
horror film industry actually shares a great deal with the field of faith-based
films. Both tend to have poorly written dialogue, delivered by amateur actors
and directors with a preoccupation with other elements in the filmmaking
process. Horror directors want the scares and gore to overshadow the cheaper
production values, while Christian filmmakers are often more interested in the
message than with quality. By making a film which fits into either category, The Remaining somehow manages to bring
along the worst from both.
This faith-based
attempt at a horror film is quite innovative in the integration of biblical
text and horror elements, despite a huge gap in the traditional survivalist
mentality required of characters in the genre. By setting the film during the
biblical Rapture, a unique scenario is created where the fortunate ones die.
Surviving takes on different meanings, and it destroys the structure of the
horror genre once the characters realize this. This isn’t the biggest problem,
however. The most distracting issue within this film is the mere fact that it
feels like a melodramatic and humorless This
is the End. I can’t help but think that this may have been more effective
had it been made first.
Although the
integration of faith-based material into the plot is clever, it is absolutely
atrocious in the dialogue. A smart plot does not mean that the screenplay can
be written like a piece of faith-driven propaganda. Even when set up with a
natural scenario to discuss faith and religion, The Remaining still manages to make it feel forced. There is also a
gap in logic when considering how the movie was filmed. Bouncing back and forth
between found-footage and traditional filmmaking, one can’t help but wonder why
you would continue to record footage at the end of the world.
Even with all of
the awful aspects to the film, The Remaining contains a few sincerely
impressive sequences. Most of this is due to fairly decent effects, some of
which can be seen in the making-of featurette included in the special features.
Also included are a handful of unnecessary deleted scenes.
Entertainment Value:
4/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 3.5/10
Historical
Significance: 4.5/10
Special Features: 4/10
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