Thirst (2015) - You've seen it all before, but it's watchable

"Thirst" (2015) attempts to blend the elements of science fiction and horror into a cohesive narrative but ultimately falls short of leaving a lasting impression. Directed by Greg Kiefer, this film explores a camp in the middle of nowhere where youngsters with criminal pasts are sent for re-education.  Unfortunately, an alien has happened to land nearby and is pretty hungry (or should I say thirsty?).

However, the film struggles in its execution of plot and character development. The storyline feels disjointed at times, with pacing that fluctuates between sluggish and hurried. Key plot points are either glossed over or dragged out, leading to a lack of cohesion that leaves viewers detached from the unlikable characters.

Characterization is another weak spot. The cast, featuring a mix of seasoned actors and newcomers, delivers performances that range from passable to wooden. Unfortunately, the script doesn't provide enough depth or backstory to make the characters truly compelling or relatable. As a result, their fates fail to evoke the emotional investment that such a dire scenario should inspire.

The horror elements are hit-and-miss.  At first I thought Marvel's 'Venom' had been employed to do a turn as the evil alien, but those where when the creature was seen in the dark.  However, when it's viewed in the full glare of daylight, it comes more across like a piece of modern art with teeth.  There are moments of genuine tension and eerie atmosphere, but they are interspersed with clichéd jump scares and predictable deaths for those 'bad' and unlikable characters.

"Thirst" does touch on important themes like survival, resource scarcity, and human nature under extreme conditions, but these ideas are not explored. "Thirst" doesn't offer anything new in terms of concept and its uneven storytelling and shallow character portrayals don't help.  The monster itself is okay and does occasionally offer some visually striking moments and occasional thrills, it ultimately fails to rise above mediocrity. For fans of the genre, it might be worth a watch, but temper your expectations. This film quenches the thirst for post-apocalyptic horror only partially, leaving much to be desired.

5/10 You can watch this film while you're doing the ironing (you'll still get the general gist of it)