Elevation
George Nolfi’s Elevation depicts a post-apocalyptic world in which venturing below 8,000 exposes people to vicious monster attacks.
High-concept ideas can work very well in science fiction and horror. Building a story around a simple notion such as going below 8,000 feet meaning certain death in this case or alien invaders attracted by even the smallest sounds in A Quiet Place resonates with audiences because the rules require little explanation leaving more time to explore the idea’s potential.

We need to get high to survive, son!
At first blush, having to stay above 8,000 feet to survive would seem to be an interesting concept to explore but further consideration gives way to the realisation that it’s limited where perpetual terror is concerned. Comparisons to A Quiet Place are inevitable -especially when Elevation shares producers with the series- and perhaps unfair but there’s no denying that the core concept easily lends itself to an unrelenting threat as people in that world have to constantly ensure they are making as little noise as possible otherwise they will face the vicious creatures hunting them. In Elevation, as long as people stay above 8,000 feet then they are totally safe.
There seems to be an awareness of that limitation so the script builds in various complications that prompt the characters to leave their safe haven. Will’s (Anthony Mackie) son Hunter (Danny Boyd Jr.) needs medical supplies to manage his illness and they are running low as the film begins, there are general issues with resources that are periodically referenced such as having limited power that is also required to manage Hunter’s illness and other things that can only be refilled by leaving safety to source supplies.
Another, arguably more interesting, motivator to risk venturing to lower ground is loneliness and isolation. This is particularly exemplified through the perspective of Hunter and Katie (Maddie Hasson), younger characters frustrated by being stuck in a settlement with a very small population and continually articulating their desire to meet other people and feel connected to the world around them. Many viewers will instantly relate to this following recent real-world events and latch onto the powerful visceral need for companionship outside the bubble that circumstances have forced you into. The film opens with Hunter venturing beyond the line of safety just to experience it and barely makes it back before being attacked. Hunter’s only justification is that he “just wanted to see other people”. It’s a simple explanation befitting a young child but it perfectly encapsulates the exasperation prompted by forced indefinite isolation. Framing it through the perspective of a child makes it more powerful because there’s a strong sense that their future is being taken from them.

I miss McDonalds
Katie is an older character but still younger than Will and Nina (Morena Baccarin) so can better understand the logic behind the need to isolate while having the words to more completely articulate why she feels so angry about the situation. She expresses that surviving and living are far from the same thing. They are living in constant fear of being picked off by the threat just beyond the altitude line and trying to get by on very few resources. In her mind, they are merely marking time before they inevitably succumb to the threat that claimed 95% of the global population. It’s a compelling perspective and having the younger characters representing this side of the debate while the older characters argue in favour of caution neatly draws battle lines between the two stances on the issue.
There are nuances to be found in how the older characters view the situation. Will is deep in survival mode and fully committed to ensuring his son gets the care that he needs. He will only risk crossing the line to get what his son needs and has resigned himself to survival meaning accepting the limited life he leads. Nina is less defeated and still hopes that science can reveal a way to combat the creatures threatening their continued existence. Both have been shaped by the trauma of loss and understand what is required to stay alive. For Will, it’s about nothing more than making sure his son gets from one day to the next and Nina’s motivation to survive is that she sees herself as what’s left of humanity’s last hope to reclaim their planet.
Anthony Mackie and Morena Baccarin make good use of the material they’re given. Much of their dialogue is heavy on exposition but both imbue it with plenty of emotional weight so it doesn’t seem unnatural. Morena Baccarin is the stronger of the two and the slow burn reveal of the source of her specific trauma that feeds into her motivation is handled very well. Anthony Mackie is also a strong performer but is confined to a comparatively narrow range so doesn’t stand out. They work well together and are a constantly engaging pairing.

Don’t talk to me before my morning coffee!
Elevation is visually stunning. The Colorado Rocky Mountains setting is beautifully shot with sweeping aerial shots showing the scale of the location. This enhances the sense of isolation and promotes terror through the large open spaces with limited cover that could be hiding the monstrous threat awaiting those that stray outside of safety.
The film is brought down by its set pieces. They simply aren’t all that creative or interesting and come across as a means to an end rather than a natural extension of the core concept. The characters go below the line and are eventually attacked but the proximity of the threat is inconsistent and the explanation of what attracts them doesn’t work if scrutinised. There’s a sequence involving a chair lift that could have been impressive but the execution leaves a lot to be desired, a potentially tense trip through a dark mine isn’t given the time to heighten the anxiety to the expected level and an encounter in an abandoned hospital is over before it really has the chance to begin. There’s plenty of potential here but the film never rises to the heights that could be achieved. Another issue is that the creature design is very generic though their screen time is limited with the suggestion of their presence and their impact on the environment doing much of the heavy lifting.
Similarly, the theme of the impact of loneliness and isolation on people’s mental state isn’t fully explored. It’s declared as an issue and the characters are affected by it in their own unique ways but a thesis on it is never properly delivered. The film gets bogged down in its plot and dealing with the threat that it forgets about the idea that was so compellingly explored in the first half of the film. There is also the suggestion of safety only being found on higher ground as a metaphor for climate change with the open question of whose interests are served by everything below a certain altitude being uninhabitable. Elevation isn’t ultimately about climate change but the idea is present and deserves more than the very slight lip service that it’s paid.
All told Elevation is an unchallenging 90-minute viewing experience that has strong acting from talented performers, compelling ideas to consider and a premise that at least seems interesting on the surface. It’s very watchable even if it doesn’t ascend to the heights it could reach.

This is a very bad idea
Verdict
A breezy and unchallenging 90 minutes with strong acting from talented performers, compelling ideas and an interesting premise that doesn’t quite ascend to the heights it could reach.
Overall
Summary
Kneel Before…
- a compelling central premise
- strong acting from talented performers
- compelling themes to consider
- stunning visuals
Rise Against…
- underwhelming set pieces
- not following through on the themes
What did you think? Select your rating in the “User Review” box below
User Review
( votes)We’d love to know your thoughts on this and anything else you want to discuss. You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, BlueSky and Discord or just leave a comment in the comment section below. You’ll need an account for Disqus but it’s easy to set up. Don’t forget to share your rating in the “User Review” box.
If you want to chat with me directly, I’m also on BlueSky