Lost in Silence: A Thought-Provoking Review of “No One Will Save You”

No One Will Save You: A Review of the Almost Wordless Sci-Fi Thriller

Rural America vs. Malevolent Alien Invaders

In a film that could be crudely renamed A Quieter Place, No One Will Save You presents a rural America battling against malevolent alien invaders. This almost wordless thriller, directed by Brian Duffield, juxtaposes silence with the intensity of the enemy’s relentless pursuit.

Unlike its counterpart, A Quiet Place, where silence is crucial to survival, the lack of dialogue in No One Will Save You isn’t directly linked to the alien invaders. However, this choice often borders on being gimmicky. Nevertheless, in its finest stretches, it serves as a challenge for both Duffield and Kaitlyn Dever, the film’s lead.

Unforgettable Performance by Kaitlyn Dever

Kaitlyn Dever, known for her roles in Booksmart and Netflix’s Unbelievable, delivers a remarkable performance as a young woman living a solitary life in a country home. Her world is abruptly disrupted when she encounters an uninvited late-night visitor. Assuming the invader to be human, she is shocked to discover that it is, in fact, an alien creature reminiscent of a 1950s sci-fi film.

Dever’s character fights back, surprising even herself, and manages to kill the intruder. However, she soon realizes that her encounter was not isolated and that her town is under attack. The film excels in its tightly woven cat-and-mouse scenes, with a few forgivable dodgy special effects. Notably, the alien design, initially appearing retro and goofy, ultimately imbues a sense of unease, particularly in its movements and varying sizes.

Atmosphere and the Art of Streaming

No One Will Save You achieves the feel of a traditional film despite its intended streaming release. The presence of a full orchestra score by Joseph Trapanese and Duffield’s admirable efforts to maximize the limited budget elevate the production value and immerse viewers in a cinematic experience.

However, atmospheric elements can only sustain a film to a certain extent. Duffield’s drip-drip storytelling technique gradually becomes frustrating as the narrative builds toward a major reveal. Disappointment ensues as the open field of possibilities is left unexplored, resulting in a withholding script that brings fatigue. Similar to last year’s Don’t Worry Darling, the curiosity surrounding what is truly occurring transforms into irritation when the film races through an increasingly incoherent explanation in its amped-up last act.

Mining Trauma Without Depth

Like many genre films of the moment, No One Will Save You delves into themes of trauma. However, Duffield falls short in finding genuine depth and emotion within his exploration. The film’s tonal jumble hampers any substantial resonance, leaving viewers with a perplexing final scene that technically conveys a message but fails to leave a lasting impact.

Ambitious Swing, But a Miss Nonetheless

No One Will Save You undeniably takes a big swing, but unfortunately, it misses the mark. Kaitlyn Dever’s fiery performance exceeds what the film ultimately deserves, as she rises to the challenge of portraying a character with limited dialogue and interacting with digital effects. Yet, as the film descends into a rambling mess in its last act, it becomes evident that no one could have saved it.

No One Will Save You is currently available on Hulu in the US and on Disney+ in the UK and other territories.