No One Will Save You (2023) From This Fresh Take on Alien Abduction
Originally published November 22, 2023
Title: No One Will Save You
First Non-Festival Release: September 22, 2023 (Digital/Streaming Platforms)
Director: Brian Duffield
Writer: Brian Duffield
Runtime: 93 Minutes
Starring: Kaitlyn Dever, Geraldine Singer, Dane Rhodes
Where to Watch: Check out where to find it here
The idea of being alone in the universe is ludicrous to some. When calculating the odds that humans are the only form of intelligent life, it’s hard to affirm given that there are so many places where life could flourish, if accounting only for the needs of lifeforms found on earth.
These thoughts likely don’t cross Brynn’s (Kaitlyn Dever) mind. While loneliness and isolation are central tenets for her existence, they don’t arise from intergalactic distance. Instead, she spends her days holed up in her childhood home away from the town that resents her. As she goes about her day, and later her night, she finds herself visited by a strange creature who may have even more sinister intentions than the general hostility of her neighbors.
A stunning technical marvel of sci-fi horror, No One Will Save You showcases a breathless alien abduction action with a unique twist.
Brian Duffield’s alien invasion flick captivates well before any ufo action graces the screen thanks to its unusual approach to developing its lead heroine. There might be ten whole lines of dialogue across the 93-minute feature meaning No One Will Save You operates completely on body language and other physical aspects of storytelling. Set becomes a prime storyteller expressing what would normally be said in dialogue. What’s more, these little clues give insight to Brynn’s character since she has no one to react with outside of the grey men. In fact, the introduction of Brynn’s everyday life and her subsequent brawl with the aliens acts as a way for the audience to observe her much like her would-be abductors would: like a scientist monitoring a specimen.
Deviating from a traditionally structured story, No One Will Save You forces the viewers to walk in Brynn’s shoes as she navigates two hostile realities: one where aliens attack her and another where humans detest her. Hardly anyone speaks to Brynn throughout the course of the film except to insult her, meaning she has little opportunity to communicate her desperation to others or warn them about what happened to her. In fact, the only communication Brynn gets is from her captors from their incomprehensible language as well as their ability to get inside her mind. Even then, most of what is communicated arises through visuals and feelings, aptly communicated through Brynn and the alien’s expressions and physicality.
Because the alien carnage is introduced so early, it mitigates the fear factor of what exactly is attacking Brynn and loses the element of mystery for the story. No One Will Save You solves this problem by adding extra layers to the invaders as Brynn wins battle after battle to keep the audience guessing what will happen next. A simple alien attacking her home in the first act becomes something much more difficult to face as No One Will Save You increases in scope and stakes. The impact is still noticed in terms of the film’s scare factor but thankfully the progressive nature of its alien invaders still makes for some entertaining moments.
Kaitlyn Dever gives an audacious performance as Brynn, facing off grey men with unflinching determination and wit. Without an intentional performance, a character like Brynn could easily be unrelatable given how she is showcased. Dever gives Brynn the proper depth by fully committing to her anxiety-riddled quirks. When facing off against aliens, Brynn is resourceful, cunning, and able to overcome her fears by retaliating against her attackers. Her conduct with other humans is much more diminutive. Brynn is hesitant, reclusive, and often resigns herself to humiliation and neglect to not rouse more trouble than she already attracts. Her arc of self-forgiveness grows as she learns to fight against the forces trying to take her agency away. The title rings true in many ways but one: Brynn can save herself.
There isn’t another film out there quite like No One Will Save You. Aside from its hook, this Hulu Original brings a fresh take on loneliness, isolation, and guilt while still delivering on the alien carnage it promises. Exciting action sequences and a powerhouse performance by Kaitlyn Dever, No One Will Save You becomes one of the year’s sleeper hits for one of the larger streaming services. While alien abduction likely isn’t happening any time soon, it doesn’t hurt to save yourself by watching this sci-fi horror flick to get a few pointers before they do come to harvest us.
Overall Score? 7/10
