The Day (2011) – Is Post-Apocalyptic Redemption Possible?

When the world ends and the ecosystem has failed, how will you live? Who will you trust? Where will you go? What will you do to survive?

These are all valid questions in The Day, directed by Douglas Aarniokoski and written by Luke Passmore. What’s not a valid question regarding the film, however, is: What happened? It doesn’t matter to the film’s narrative. We are simply dropped into an important day in the lives of five survivors. We know that whatever happened to the world occurred some 10 years prior and we know that the three men in the group went to high school together, which answers any questions about trust.

However, as the five survivors find an abandoned farmhouse to rest, recover, and hide from the rain, it becomes apparent that Henson (Cory Hardrict – Battle Los Angeles, Warm Bodies), our token black guy, is severely ill and shouldn’t continue. We also learn that Mary (Ashley Bell – The Last Exorcism) is a newcomer and very quiet and secretive.

Through a series of unfortunate events, we lose our group’s leader, Rick (Dominic Monaghan – LOST, The Lord of the Rings) the two remaining guys, Adam (Shawn Ashmore – Smallville, Frozen, Hatchet II, The Following) and Henson, get caught in a trap in the basement while Mary and Shannon (Shannyn Sossamon – Hitman: Absolution) are out on a destined-to-fail scavenging mission for food.

Once the remaining four survivors are semi regrouped at the farmhouse, the cannibals come looking for their trapped meat. During one of these attacks we learn that Mary used to be a cannibal in a different group – and here is where the crux of this movie comes in:

Mary left her cannibal group/family for a reason. Now she’s on the path for redemption. So ask yourself, is it possible for people to change? Can we forgive people for their past sins? Can we fully trust someone who has done heinous things?

Then ask yourself if your wife and daughter were killed and eaten by a group of cannibals, would you be justified in killing all cannibals, even reformed ones, who crossed your path? Could you forgive one for past sins?

These are based in age-old questions set in a post-apocalyptic world when a new history, a new philosophy, and a new way of life must be found.

The Verdict: [rating:3.5]

The Day follows in the path of the newer post-apocalyptic tales, as opposed to the classics like Mad Max. The Road and Eli came to mind while watching, so it’s less than original, but it is entertaining. While watching, your enjoyment might benefit from remembering that the backstory isn’t required for this film. It’s an enjoyable film and worth watch if you’re a fan of this genre.

Rock Hard \m/