Is Them Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2018)

🎬 The Narrative Arc & Core Premise

Them, a standout production of 2018, meticulously weaves its narrative threads through the Thriller, Fantasy landscape, offering a cinematic experience that is as challenging as it is rewarding. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into Marie, her father and her little brother live in an underground bunker hidden deep in the woods. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Thriller, Fantasy are tested.

The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "Marie, her father and her little brother live in an underground bunker hidden deep in the woods. The World as we knew it no longer exists. When the father accidentally shoots a stranger while on a hunt, he sees himself faced with only two options. At home, Marie tends the wounds of the unconscious man. While the father distrusts the stranger, Marie is drawn to him. For her, the bunker feels not like a home but a prison from which she yearns to break free. Can this stranger be her long awaited hope? But when a group of marauders invade the bunker, Marie is not sure who her new friend really is."

🎭 Artistic Execution & Performance Study

A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. The presence of Jürg Plüss provides a necessary level of professionalism to the production, even when the underlying script struggles to maintain a consistent tone. It is a testament to their skill that they remain the most engaging element of the film.

The direction by Tim Dünschede is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its 30 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.

🤔 Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch

Is Them truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Thriller, Fantasy, then this is a worthwhile watch if you have a specific interest in the themes or the performers involved.

The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 2/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.

⚖️ Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision

At a deeper level, Them explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 2018 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Tim Dünschede respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.

The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.

🏆 Final Editorial Recommendation

Ultimately, Them is an interesting experiment that, while flawed, offers enough moments of creative spark to be worth a casual glance for the curious. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Jürg Plüss or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, Them is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.