The film commences with crackling and staticky news reports and desperate human cries. The world is running out of clean water. Special blue zones are established where water is available but access is largely denied. Mass migrations occur. Refugee “camps” are established. Chaos in the streets. Much of the water supply is contaminated with a deadly virus. Post apocalypse film awaits!
The Devine family, Ma (Joanne Boland), Pa (Arnold Pinnock) and daughter Sarah (Shailyn Pierre-Dixon) live in the deep woods and most importantly have a well with clean water. But what is a post apocalypse film without a little hardship! The well’s filter is cracked. The water is muddy. Get clean water or die!
A family member, Jamie (Idrissa Sanogo), stumbles into the Devine compound. Sarah and Jamie trundle off in search of metal to enable the well filter to be repaired. Jaimie knows of a place with “people” that might help.
Sarah and Jamie arrive at what appears to be an abandoned smelting facility with a handful of people led by Gabriel (Sheila McCarthy). Grandmotherly but ruthless perhaps for the greater good? She’s not afraid to gun down strangers for fear they have the deadly contagious virus.
Some decent tension in the film here as no one trusts anyone. What are these people up to? Is Gabriel a dangerous lunatic with her references to Greek mythology?
With a repaired well filter in hand they all head to The Devine’s compound in search of this clean water Sarah has told them about. Why would they travel for clean water when they already have potable water?
The group makes it to the trip wire outside the Devine compound. It is then discovered Jamie and Gabriel have the virus which means all the group must be infected but it doesn’t seem that way?
A simple plot that has no real edge to it. No epic struggles. No attacks by mutants. The film is about as exciting as a bag of Cheesies the day after the Gey Cup. If there is any virus it is boredom. Even the cast seems totally unenthusiastic. “The Well” is bone dry instead of the gush the initial moments of the movie promised me.
Think of “The Well” as a post apocalyptic “The Waltons” all best enjoyed with a glass of hot milk.
Directed by Hubert Davis.
Played at the recent Fantasia film festival in Montreal.
RKS 2025 CANADIAN Film Rating: 63/100.
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