7/10

Director Zak Hilditch’s on screen debut is a promising Australian apocalyptic drama piece.James (Nathan Phillips) is a troubled young man on a mission. He’s desperate to join his girlfriend Vicky at the ‘party to end all parties’ and numb any feelings as the world comes to an end. On his journey however, James is greeted by a lawless and chaotic city, facing a cataclysmic event that will end life on the planet, and he discovers that getting to where he needs to be will not be easy. Along the way, he saves the life of a girl named Rose, frantically searching for her father. Out of options, James invites Rose to join him. Together they discover how they would truly like to spend their last moments on Earth in this world gone mad. What i loved most about this film, is the believability that i was watching a legitimate “End of the world” film. The effects are solid for amateur CGI, the acting is very emotional, and the setting never feels overdone by the madness around it. In regards to the ladder, the extras in the film are legitimately doing things that i believe you would see if these people were told they had less than twelve hours to live. From drug induced orgies, to Russian roulette tournaments, to the horrifying images of suicidal bodies in the street, this film does a lot with such a little budget (2 million). Phillips has been a staple of Australian acting for a long time. He cut his acting teeth in 2005’s “Wolf Creek”, and he makes the most in this film being the prime antagonist, and the person we see for 95% of the film. It never feels like the pacing gets stale. The cause is there with adrenaline fueled panic led by Hilditch’s very own narration as a radio DJ counting down the final hours. The effect feels worthwhile, with a final scene that is beautiful on the eyes, as well as unforgiving to the characters we have followed to this point. I remember enjoying a similar British film from 1998 called “Last Night”. What intrigued me more about Hilditch’s script is the essence of awareness. These characters know what’s coming, and they never try to ignore it with poetic lines, or in the way subplots that ignores the countdown clock. The characters (Minus Phillips) were crazy, and that’s the way it should be. There’s not a lot of musical score, and i appreciated that, as it made the film feel like it was point of view without the cheesy overdone effect. The ending credits come and go in complete silence, and it’s all metaphorical for this being the end. To be honest, i would’ve been fine without them even showing the credits to add even more to such an effect. If there was one problem with the film, it’s way too short. Clocking in at 75 minutes, it’s the bare minimum of a film, and it feels like a solid idea stretched way too far. I would’ve appreciated more character back story. We are shown that James cheats on his girlfriend, and has a lack of relationship with his Mother, but we never really find out much to it. I think ten more minutes of solid character building could’ve helped with more emotional investment from the viewer, and yet keep the pace moving along during the doomsday countdown. I would definitely recommend this film to everyone. It’s been on the developmental shelf since 2013, so it’s nice to see it get it’s rightful release. Many films lack that heartfelt sentiment in a world gone wrong, but “These Final Hours” has a tragedy to it that asks what could’ve been? The film pulls no punches with it’s graphic imagery, so be warned.