The Tribe (2016) Reviews

• Missed Opportunity

  Theo Robertson2017-02-15

  Three sisters have survived a pandemic that has devastated humanity . Living in their remote outpost their lives change when a young man looking for sanctuary turns up With a synopsis like this I was reminded of the Don Siegel/Clint Eastwood 1971 movie THE BEGUILED . It is something of a Western that could take place in a 19th Century homestead rather than a post apocalypse scenario in the 21st Century . Unfortunately the screenplay constantly misses opportunities or more specifically can't make up its mind what it wants to be . The sexual tension created by the character dynamics is explored but quickly forgotten when the plot takes a swift turn . At this point I was expecting the very real female fear of sexual assault seen earlier in Boyle's 28 DAYS LATER to take centre stage but again this isn't really followed up All this is a pity because it's an independent feature which is impressive from a technical point of few with the main aspect being the striking cinematography . It's a great looking low budget film but goes to prove cinema is visual storytelling and if the story isn't focused it makes for an unsatisfying film

• Great directing and acting lead to disappointing story

  Snootz2017-02-18

  Micro-spoiler is near the END of this review with lots of warning. If films were judged solely by directing, cinematography and acting, this would be a winner. But there are still concepts we refer to as plot and story line that are part of the genre, and in those areas this story falls apart. This film is quite realistic and understandable and lead the viewer to believe this will carry throughout the film. It even offers a plot twist that is fairly well done. But that plot twist turns into hard-to-swallow, then ludicrous premise and winds up in surrealistic absurdist "What was that?" ending. It leaves the viewer wondering exactly what point were the film makers trying to make? This is not a cerebral film with a hidden message that savvy movie-goers will pick up on. This is a film that loses all its momentum and element of belief in a self-indulgent plunge into the ridiculous. The director tries to be clever and fails. What is supposed to be a plot twist turns into a plot twisted, one that leaves us disappointed not only in the reality that the movie failed to deliver-- but disappointed that it failed to live up to its tremendous potential. MICRO-SPOILER FOLLOWS. It's not much of a spoiler... but necessary to properly discuss this film. This is one of the few films that I can say was very successful right up to the last five minutes, throws in a potentially great plot twist-- then throws it all away in a surreal binge that is so anti-climactic it ruins all the film had accomplished to that point. All that is needed to discuss the sole problem with this film is to mention the point from where one of the characters (I won't state which one) turns out to be totally off-the-wall crazy. That's okay; that particular element really adds to the film. But the final resolution of that is so unbelievable and ludicrous it's like an anti-plot to the rest of the film. Then the very last scene leaves us scratching our heads wondering what the writer and director were smoking when they decided to throw it in there. I can think of at least two alternative endings that would have made this a very good film. (Although frankly, I could have done without the gratuitous gory violence thrown in to an otherwise excellent drama.) If we wanted a quick plot synopsis: excellent acting, excellent directing, excellent filming, sudden DUD. When it comes to hitting the target, this one strikes with the arrow butt-first and no reason as to why.

• The Tribe: Bizzare yet watchable thriller

  Platypuschow2018-02-09

  For me The Tribe was one of those pick and mix movies, therefore I went in with no expectations at all. It tells the story of three sisters who live out in the desert, it's set in a post apocalyptic world that was hit by a pandemic and they are fighting to stay alive. A core rule they have is not to let anyone in should they appear and when they break that rule it changes everything. With a fantastic leading lady, great setting and interesting premise The Tribe had me gripped and is anything but predictible. Trouble is the ending both makes and breaks the movie in that it is merciless, open ended and totally out of left field. I enjoyed the Tribe but certainly wanted to have liked it more, the ending just left me with a bad taste in my mouth and I'm honestly not sure what the creators were going with there. Well cast, interesting but flawed. The Good: Great leading lady Interesting ideas Unpredictible The Bad: Ending is questionable Things I Learnt From This Movie: I spent half the movie trying to work out if that was Melissa Benoist Danika is one of the weirdest looking kids I've ever seen

• A well acted, well directed...

  sfinancing2017-11-19

  ...invitation to take a nap. I kept hoping for an interesting spin in this poorly written snoozefest of a movie...still waiting. I say it was well acted by the young cast and can see where they made the most of the minimal cardboard dialogue. Directing and cinematography are well done considering that nothing interesting actually happens. Production values are decent for an indy but they should have spent some money on a rewrite of the script or chosen a better one to start with. Minor twists on the Z for Zachariah plot line, but nowhere near as interesting as that young adult book was half a century ago. Don't recommend wasting your time on this one...but again the young cast did well with what they had to work with, so your call.

• We're here to help you.

  nogodnomasters2017-07-29

  Two teen girls and their mute younger sister live alone in a bomb shelter and the house above it. They live off of canned rations and some home grown items. Water is scarce. The mute girl is losing her hair. 18 minutes into the film we discovered this is after "it happened." (Almost a bumper sticker.) Ryan (Michael Nardelli) a cute young boy wonders into their homestead. Jenny (Jessica Rothe) likes him. Sarah (Anne Winters) doesn't trust him. The family circle becomes disrupted. The film ended odd, putting it in line for a cult feature. The production was a slow mover. The dialogue had no zip. Half the film seemed to be Sarah pointing a gun at someone and having it taken away from her because the barrel is too close. You'd think she would learn after the first few times. Guide: No swearing, sex, or nudity. Anne Winters exposes her shoulder.