Z for Zachariah

Name: Z for Zachariah
Genre: Sci-Fi, Drama, Thriller
Released: August 28, 2015
Duration: 98 min
Rating: 68
Cast: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Chris Pine, Margot Robbie

2015

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 28 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 85 Ratings

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5.6

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5.6	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 85 Ratings

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Z For Zachariah

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Movie Details & Credits

Roadside Attractions | Release Date: August 28, 2015 | PG-13

Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Chris Pine, Margot Robbie

Summary: In the wake of a disaster that wipes out most of civilization, a young woman (Margot Robbie) survives on her own, fearing she may actually be the proverbial last woman on earth, until she discovers the most astonishing sight of her life: another human being. A distraught scientist (Chiwetel Ejiofor), he’s nearly been driven mad by radiationIn the wake of a disaster that wipes out most of civilization, a young woman (Margot Robbie) survives on her own, fearing she may actually be the proverbial last woman on earth, until she discovers the most astonishing sight of her life: another human being. A distraught scientist (Chiwetel Ejiofor), he’s nearly been driven mad by radiation exposure and his desperate search for others. A fragile, imperative strand of trust connects them. But when a stranger (Chris Pine) enters the valley, their precarious bond begins to unravel. [Roadside Attractions]… Expand

Director: Craig Zobel

Genre(s): Sci-Fi, Drama, Thriller

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 98 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Jeannette Catsoulis

Aug 27, 2015

Maintaining a strict formal allegiance to reserve and restraint, [Mr. Zobel] shapes a dreamily elegant emotional ballet from glances and gestures and subtle shifts in power. Read full review

Stephanie Zacharek

Aug 25, 2015

The film works on its own terms, capturing, at least, the mournful vibe of O'Brien's book. What's more, Zobel's revision opens up plenty of space for the three actors who inhabit this circumscribed little world, all of whom are terrific. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

Aug 27, 2015

Z for Zachariah asks us to suspend a good deal of disbelief. Ann is absurdly beautiful, and Ms. Robbie emerges as a full-fledged star, even though her performance is precise and understated. Read full review

IndieWire Ibad Shah

Jan 31, 2015

Even as the story’s increased tension weakens its subtleties, Zobel's sensitive handling of the emotional tone throughout grounds the film with an overarching realism despite the far-fetched setting. Read full review

Tom Russo

Aug 27, 2015

Far from contrived, the triangle that “Zachariah” sketches among the last three folks on earth is all too human. Read full review

Todd McCarthy

Jan 31, 2015

Craig Zobel effectively sets all its surface parts in motion but, crucially, doesn’t sufficiently develop that turbulent undercurrents of tension and intrigue that are called for in the hothouse circumstances. Read full review

Ed Gonzalez

Aug 23, 2015

The film squanders the promise of its scrutiny into how people recalibrate their sense of morality in times of crisis. Read full review

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User Reviews

slayde11

Jan 1, 2016

This is an "end of human civilization" movie -- yet there's not a single zombie, or shape-shifting alien, or giant comet, or shiny spaceship, or splatter of blood to be found. Instead, it's a very quiet, deliberately-paced human study about the nature of loneliness, the fragility of trust,This is an "end of human civilization" movie -- yet there's not a single zombie, or shape-shifting alien, or giant comet, or shiny spaceship, or splatter of blood to be found. Instead, it's a very quiet, deliberately-paced human study about the nature of loneliness, the fragility of trust, the notion of faith, and the way simple human jealousy and emotion and unravel the most triumphant steps toward progress. Brilliant, brilliant performances all around, plus an ending that's haunting and heartbreaking on multiple levels. If you're looking for pulse-pounding, fast-paste action this is NOT your cup of tea ... and that's NOT the kind of movie it's trying to be. Watching these superb actors express three or four conflicting emotions all at once -- with a simple nod, or touch, or glance away -- was mesmerizing enough for me. A stellar and troubling film that stays with you.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Spangle

Jan 26, 2016

Z for Zachariah has been criticized for being slow, but I never thought it was. Instead, I saw it as a compelling film with interesting characters and thoughtful ruminations on survival, religion (especially during turmoil), romance, and relationships. Brilliantly directed by Craig Zobel,Z for Zachariah has been criticized for being slow, but I never thought it was. Instead, I saw it as a compelling film with interesting characters and thoughtful ruminations on survival, religion (especially during turmoil), romance, and relationships. Brilliantly directed by Craig Zobel, this one deserves more attention than it has received, especially because of the gorgeous cinematography and fantastic acting from Margot Robbie, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Chris Pine. Z for Zachariah is a compelling human drama and character study that avoids falling into the stereotypes of the post-apocalyptic genre. Honestly, I never found it to be slow, though its pace certainly is quite assured and deliberate. If you enjoy films about people and do not mind films that are more subtle, Z for Zachariah is for you. A thrilling, moving, and truly enjoyable experience, Z for Zachariah is more than worth your time.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

BrianMcCritic

Aug 29, 2015

The performances and look of this film make it a must see. Yes the pace of the film is slow, but the performances of Robbie, Ejiofor, and Pine sweep you up and hook you from the start. The way these actors convey emotion sometimes with just a look is mesmerizing. Also this film isThe performances and look of this film make it a must see. Yes the pace of the film is slow, but the performances of Robbie, Ejiofor, and Pine sweep you up and hook you from the start. The way these actors convey emotion sometimes with just a look is mesmerizing. Also this film is gorgeous with wide sweeping shots of this valley and perfect shots of these characters which adds to some of the tension. Overall I can't say enough about these performances. A-… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

ydnar4

Aug 28, 2015

The performances are such a significant part of this film because there are only three people featured in the film. I really enjoy the surroundings for this film there were a lot of beautiful shots in this film that were captured on camera beautifully. The most notable performance in theThe performances are such a significant part of this film because there are only three people featured in the film. I really enjoy the surroundings for this film there were a lot of beautiful shots in this film that were captured on camera beautifully. The most notable performance in the film would have to be Ejiofor because he had the most dynamic character and although he is the least known of all three actors as a rule he might be the most talented of the group. I really enjoyed watching the tension build between Ejiofor and Pine who form a bit of a rivalry.

There isn’t a whole lot that I can say about this film because it is fairly short, it is slow paced and it is really not that eventful. I had a bit of a problem with the ending to this film. I felt like the film didn’t really have a climax and all the tension that they did such a good job to build over the course of the film wound up being for nothing in the end.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

zia25

Aug 30, 2015

Thought this would be a good sci-fi thriller kind of movie but it was soo boring and had no point to it what so ever. Don't waste your time on this one.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

rmkelly

Mar 24, 2017

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Z (2015) is an oddly appealing redneck version of an end-of-the-world scenario: a nuclear catastophe has left only two people alive. Natually, the two are a man and a woman who live in a lush valley and are blindingly attractive. But just as in the original garden, all does not go well.
She's white and he's black, she's ultra-religious, he's not, and to top it off they're soon joined by a male interloper who's more attactive than either of them.
Z has just enough ambiguity to keep the viewer guessing about major plot points. The male leads (Chiwetel Ejiofor and Chris Pine.) contribute warm and convincing portraits. The woman (Margot Robbie) runs the gamut of emotions from A to B. But hey, it's the end of the world. You take what you can get.
I mentioned the plot's pleasant ambiguity but on the other hand it also contains huge holes, a meandering pace, and chin-scratching dialogue. This led me to believe that the director's attitude was "Just go with it. Of course it's confusing, it's the end of the world. You take what you can get." Flming in New Zealand and West Virginia was a good call.
Despite their physical charms and the realization that they are the last human beings on the planet, the protagonists seem only dimly aware of the facts of life. Some plausible stumbling blocks are introduced, but still. As time ticked by, their lack of interest in the preservation of the human species became more glaring yet. Eventually, the problem is solved.
Z has an odd charm. It could have aimed for profundity but chose instead to present a rather straightforward yarn and take its chances on the script and the talents of its lead actors. The script let the movie down. The male leads were more than adequate to the task, yet two stong males are not enough to save the world....nor this movie.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

P3G4SuSuOuT

Aug 31, 2015

Not seen it but read the book and it's just another example of directors or producers or whoever thinking they have the right to destroy a book by completely changing the story... unfortunately just another example of crap just like the War of the World's

0 of 8 users found this helpful08

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