Z for Zachariah
Roadside Attractions | Release Date: August 28, 2015
5.6
USER SCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 85 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
34
Mixed:
35
Negative:
16
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
5
NikolayGSep 6, 2015
One word sums up this movie: Unfinished.

You won't believe when it ends. Just as you're thinking, "I can't wait to see what happens now," it will be over. The writers didn't have what it takes to complete writing the story. They get to theOne word sums up this movie: Unfinished.

You won't believe when it ends. Just as you're thinking, "I can't wait to see what happens now," it will be over. The writers didn't have what it takes to complete writing the story. They get to the hard part, then run away from it. I cry foul. I want a refund.… Expand
3 of 3 users found this helpful30
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8
BrianMcCriticAug 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 justThe 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
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4
zia25Aug 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
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4
LowbrowCinemaAug 29, 2015
Like a short story, Z FOR ZACHARIAH is delicate and beautifully produced. The first half is quite lovely with Margot Robbie delivering a very genuine performance as someone who believes she is the last person left alive after a nuclearLike a short story, Z FOR ZACHARIAH is delicate and beautifully produced. The first half is quite lovely with Margot Robbie delivering a very genuine performance as someone who believes she is the last person left alive after a nuclear holocaust.But then two men enter the scene and the film becomes a dull love triangle with no purpose whatsoever. You'll want to go to sleep.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
ydnar4Aug 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 cameraThe 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
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3
pnicoliniOct 6, 2016
Boring movie with predictable plot. Performances of actors are of low level. I really had no fun in watching it. I recommend to stay away from it. I see no point in the positive reviews.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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3
lipinoMay 14, 2021
A perfect example of why writing is the most important part of film. This had every ingredient to be great - beautiful music and cinematography, 3 top notch actors - but the writing is paper thin. Robbie's character is unfazed by everythingA perfect example of why writing is the most important part of film. This had every ingredient to be great - beautiful music and cinematography, 3 top notch actors - but the writing is paper thin. Robbie's character is unfazed by everything that should weigh on her more heavily. I assumed she was a bit slow. Ejiofor's character has zero chemistry with her. If anything, he treats her quite badly while she is a saint to him. Pine puts in the best performance, bringing tension and suspicion, but it all amounts to nothing. In the end I have no idea what this movie was trying to say.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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2
marco34laAug 29, 2015
I went into this film expecting a Sci Fi flick and ended up getting the most boring pointless drama. The only thing sci-fi about it, is that it supposedly takes place in a time after some sort of apocalyptic event. That means nothing to thisI went into this film expecting a Sci Fi flick and ended up getting the most boring pointless drama. The only thing sci-fi about it, is that it supposedly takes place in a time after some sort of apocalyptic event. That means nothing to this film. It's extremely claustrophobic low-budget flick -- don't waste your time or money… Expand
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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0
P3G4SuSuOuTAug 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 WarNot 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… Expand
0 of 8 users found this helpful08
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8
SpangleJan 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, andZ 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
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7
MaggothSep 22, 2015
A quite successful take on the intimacy of post-apocalyptic experience. Margot Robbie is amazing as a fragile, but very brave girl who survives in extreme conditions, but yearns for tender touch of another human being. The privacy of theA quite successful take on the intimacy of post-apocalyptic experience. Margot Robbie is amazing as a fragile, but very brave girl who survives in extreme conditions, but yearns for tender touch of another human being. The privacy of the experience of cataclysm in Zobel's film is similar to the atmosphere of John Hillcoat's "The Road", but the seclusion of the dramatic conflict and the amazing locations just make "Z for Zachariah" a more poetic proposal.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
slayde11Jan 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 aboutThis 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
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7
Joem33Aug 30, 2015
For me this movie does more things wrong than it does right. And the ending's just a total no-no for me! This was supposed to be a really beautiful movie, but the director (or whoever was in charge of the story) just had go on and ruin itsFor me this movie does more things wrong than it does right. And the ending's just a total no-no for me! This was supposed to be a really beautiful movie, but the director (or whoever was in charge of the story) just had go on and ruin its ending! I haven't read the novel so I can't tell if they were trying to be true to the source material, but I think they should done more with the story.
Though, I wouldn't advice you to miss this movie; just watch out for the this-can't-be-the-end! ending.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
smiyamotDec 8, 2015
Another "survivor at the end of the world" movie. So what does he do? What would you do? The movie makes us think about that as we watch the characters struggle to live their lives. Well done character study. I think you have to be inAnother "survivor at the end of the world" movie. So what does he do? What would you do? The movie makes us think about that as we watch the characters struggle to live their lives. Well done character study. I think you have to be in the mood to watch this.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
rmkellyMar 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
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9
AerostatAug 13, 2017
Having read the book as a teenager and watched the 1984 BBC interpretation, I was wary of knowing in advance of this to be a very changed story from the source material, however, I found this a copacetic experience that was thoughtHaving read the book as a teenager and watched the 1984 BBC interpretation, I was wary of knowing in advance of this to be a very changed story from the source material, however, I found this a copacetic experience that was thought provoking, nuanced, superbly acted and produced but appreciate it is not for everyone but it is for me.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
geewahMar 30, 2021
A clever, thought provoking movie about the end of humanity that doesn't show the horrors of what has happened, but focuses on the now and the moral ambiguities in surviving.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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