In the plethora of futuristic dystopian suspense thrillers nowadays, this Netflix movie… Is one of them.
Extinction follows the story of Peter (Michael Peña), a factory engineer who has a few problems to deal with, such as estrangement from his family due to work, as well as nightmares that plague him at night. But then, it turns out that his dreams are much more than they seem, and foreshadow a great danger that will change everything he knows of his life, and a danger that looms all over the face of the earth.
While it sounds like yet another of those movies where there is a threat to humankind in the future, most likely aliens, the twist in the story is what makes it worthwhile. (Of course I won’t tell what it is exactly, watch it!) In the end, it will make you question which side you should root for. Also, the issue tackled in the movie is something that has been seen a lot in science and technology nowadays, so it will make you get a glimpse of what kind of future humanity will have with its advancement. (Hint!)
Unfortunately, the acting wasn’t as moving as it should. I expected more from Peña, being in a lead role, but I’d rather see him as someone’s wise-cracking funny sidekick instead. Lizzy Kaplan, who plays Peter‘s wife, Alice, is a different story. Hers was the character I felt for more, even though she had a supporting role only. Perhaps, because she has the strong but caring woman trope, just like me? (Cough.) Maybe.
On a funny side note, I did not recognize that Peter’s factory boss was played by Mike Colter, Mr. Luke Cage himself, until after I started searching for the cast roster.
There is nothing much to say about the other aspects of the movie in terms of cinematography and screenplay as it is as expected of what sci-fi movies look like in general; a swirl of CGI, edgy set design, and yucky alien physiology. But, the music is noteworthy because it was composed by the Newton Brothers who were once apprentices of the renowned composer Hans Zimmer, to which they owe the upbeat, synth-and-string combination.
To end, Extinction isn’t really of stellar proportions, but it’s not that bad, either. The twist midway is surely its saving grace, but I’m not sure if it’s good that they thought of that, or it’s bad because they needed that.
With this, my Netflix binging continues. Until next time!