The clever, inventive, low-budget gem “We’re All Gonna Die” defies expectations with its highly creative storytelling and imaginative use of limited resources. Co-directed by Matthew Arnold and Freddie Wong, this quirky indie film takes audiences on a wild ride through the end of civilization, blending elements of humor, grief, and hope into a surprisingly heartfelt narrative.
The story centers around a struggling beekeeper (Jordan Rodrigues) and an emotionally raw EMT (Ashly Burch) who are unexpectedly thrust together on a road trip. The pair set out to retrieve their belongings after they have been mysteriously teleported across the country by a towering alien spike that has appeared in Earth’s atmosphere. While the premise is admittedly weak, the film manages to strike a delicate balance between whimsy and poignancy, offering an exploration of grief and mortality amidst the chaos of impending doom.
This isn’t a sci-fi film with a blockbuster budget, and the aesthetic has a small time charm that works in its favor. The homegrown special effects are ingenious and practical, adding to the indie appeal. The characters can feel annoying, mostly because the performances are amateurish across the board. But there’s a certain charm to the earnestness of the cast that makes it (mostly) forgivable.
“We’re All Gonna Die” finds success in its message of hope and resilience in the face of adversity with a small scale story about human companionship and encouraging sparks of optimism, even when all seems lost.
By: Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots 