Z for Zachariah trailer shows jealousy still exists after the world ends
The first trailer for the suspensful-looking Z for Zachariah snuck through the cracks a little while back, but the movie is intriguing enough to share. Based on a novel published in the ’70s, the film sees a young woman living in an untouched paradise during the aftermath of a nuclear apocalypse. From the trailer and IMDb page, it looks like we might not see more than three actors on screen for the duration (Chris Pine, Margot Robbie, Chiwetel Ejiofor), which could be a nice change of pace from the action-packed, over-stuffed blockbuster explosions viewers are getting used to. I’m curious, to say the least, and reviews out of Sundance were very positive.
Watch the first trailer and take a look at the poster for Z for Zachariah after the jump.
It’s nice to see a post-apocalyptic thriller that’s not focused on zombies, disease, or non-stop action. This one looks like a solid build from comfortable bliss to nail-biting suspense, all hinging on the acting chops of a few and the atmosphere established over time. I feel old and crotchety (at 28) saying that’s the way movies used win over audiences, but it’s kind of true these days. Subtle-yet-enjoyable performance pieces like this often sneak in under the radar, like Chris Pine’s 2009 movie Carriers, and it’s always kind of fun to find a film with underrated actors doing their own quiet thing.
For those who haven’t read the original novel by Robert C O’Brien, or didn’t catch the 1984 BBC movie, here’s a plot synopsis of Z for Zachariah to fill us in:
In the wake of a nuclear war, a young woman survives on her own, fearing she may actually be the proverbial last woman on earth, until she discovers the most astonishing sight of her life: another human being. A distraught scientist, he’s nearly been driven mad by radiation exposure and his desperate search for others. A fragile, imperative strand of trust connects them. But when a stranger enters the valley, their precarious bond begins to unravel.
Z for Zachariah stars Margot Robbie, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Chris Pine. It was directed by Craig Zobel (Compliance), and you can catch the movie in theaters on August 21, 2015.
