The Sunderland Experiment (2014) Reviews

• For what it is - a low budget sci-fi flick - it's refreshing

  ethancase2015-04-23

  An exploration of Western boredom, religion, drugs, and freedom. There is an alien that attempts to make people conform via ritual, there is crime and fitting but arbitrary punishment, and there is exile and death all set in almost post-apocalyptic desert ruination. A little gross, but not too gross. The characters are as unreal as the place and just as disturbing, but they are all honest to the point of hurting through their interpellation, ignorance, and resulting quirks. No tropes or overwritten moments in this one - I never knew what was going to happen next. It's not fun or pretty, but it's obvious that there was a real thinking human who made the movie.

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• Exile: Bizarre yet entertaining

  Platypuschow2017-09-17

  Exile is such a strange little creature and the front cover is highly deceptive! Telling the tale of a small society governed by a being referred to as an angel the citizens reach a point of their studies where they have to choose whether to be "blessed" which will have them merge with an alien entity or "fall" which means they'll be exiled. Following one young man as he makes his decision and the impact on those around him. Truth be told it's not the simplest story to follow and there is little background given forcing heavy interpretation and assumption but regardless the concept is really quite good. Flawed in several areas the movie certainly isn't without its faults but provides a unique tale that certainly got my attention. The Good: Brilliant concept The Bad: Could have been made a tad better Story is riddled with holes Finale was pretty weak

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• Warrants more than one viewing

  samandor-157812016-02-04

  After seeing the low score and reading the scant number of reviews about this flick, I have to conclude that most simply didn't get it. The world hasn't been taken over by an alien invasion - just one remote outpost has been taken over by a single alien. The community of Sunderland was likely an apocalyptic survivalist sect, in self-imposed isolation - hence the religious overtones of Angel's "teachings" (beginning with calling itself "Angel"), why outsiders don't find it too strange that they've been seeing less of these folks, and why it was a perfect place for this sort of alien invasion. The bizarre life cycle of the alien apparently requires nearly a decade of gestation inside its host - the film occurs at the end of this period for the first adults to be "blessed" by the psychic, parasitic organism, at which point they have to plant their heads in the garden, to produce the next vegetative part of this life cycle. What happens after that remains unknown. The young characters in this film would have been around 4-6 years old when their parents were either "blessed," or killed. Older siblings have been either blessed, killed, or fallen. Why the Fallen aren't killed is a bit of a mystery, except that the one adult who wasn't "blessed" (but wants to be) is the only person allowed outside of the compound, to obtain supplies. He's getting old enough that he might need replacement. The "blessed" wouldn't pass as normal outside the compound. Another weird thing to ponder is why it seems important to the "angel" to teach the kids math and genetics (along with fealty to the Angel, and not joining "the worm and the slit" - a primitive form of abstinence is the only thing these kids have been taught about sex). Since the parasite apparently acquires knowledge from the host, perhaps this gives the next generation a leg up. Teaching in the womb? There's a lot more going on in this flick than you're likely to get in one viewing.

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• Surprisingly good indie movie

  Steneslore2015-04-20

  I wasn't expecting much from this but was pleasantly surprised, this movie is quite a gem. It's very original and interesting, the pacing is good and the practical effects and CGI are quite competent. Unlike a lot of other indie films in the same budget range it's never boring, and it always shocks and intrigues you into wanting to see what happens next. The characters are very well written and believable. There's a lot of bizarre and frightening things happening, but they seem to accept it all as normal because they don't know any different. They have no understanding of the outside world because they've been isolated and kept ignorant. You actually care what happens to them as their characters develop and they learn horrible truths about their existence. If you like indie sci-fi or horror films you'll probably like this one. It's relentlessly weird and bleak, and it will keep you interested till the end. I will definitely be watching the next film these guys make.

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• My Review Of "Exile: The Sunderland Experiment"

  ASouthernHorrorFan2015-03-19

  First off- let me say "What The F@ck?! This is the most wild and twisted exploration into the human condition that I have ever seen, and I loved every bleepin' minute of it! "Exile" is probably the perfect blend of low budget indie filmmaking and science fiction surrealism. Directed by Adam Petke and Sean Blau, although the story's pace and fluidity is so strong that you would think only one mind controlled the direction of this film. A lot of people will push it aside as ridiculous, but to be honest most people will see this film as I did, a true, original, captivating, emotional journey of human suffrage and escapism seen through the eyes of the youth. The story is a moving, disturbing, coming of age in the wasteland that is so stripped down to a realness that is so recognizable and transferable into any genre. It just happens to be framed by a nightmarish, H.P. Lovecraftian form of first contact and the dichotomy of life inside a cult. "Exile" gives a relatable, recognizable premise and brings it into a hellish reality that is beautifully disturbing and effective. The acting is pretty tight on all fronts, the cast are completely immersed in their characters, the script is evenly paced with chilling moments of horror and emotional segments of "life of the children that fall through the cracks". The story moves with a somber beat of loss, despair that develops into determination and self preservation. Not to mention all the "real world" subtext symbolism that permeates this film. The direction Petke takes by keeping the style organic, and personal creates a deeply moving and unsettling reality for the characters The special effects is the same concept as films like "District 9" but on a much smaller scale in regards to the CGI elements with the alien creature known as the "Angel". The horror elements, and there are some awesome, dark, gory horror moments in "Exile", stay practical and visceral. There is some CGI blood added during interactions with the Angel, but during the more dramatic scenes between the characters which end in horrific displays of Lovecraft inspired nightmares, the effects and blood are practical ones. The soundtrack, sound effects used on "Exile" blend eerie instrumental sounds of sorrow and loss with added sound effects that are chilling. Together the sounds create a tense atmosphere of suspense that just elevates the emotional and dramatic struggle of the characters into areas of that are more horror than sci-fi. Honestly I would say that "Exile" is a horror drama more than it is a horror scifi blended story. Overall the film is a powerful, indie horror that gets everything organically right. It is honest, compelling, emotional, and entertaining. A truly chilling exploration of the human experience in horrific conditions. A must see film!

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