Director Xavier Gens delves into the basement of humanity for the post-apocalyptic horror of The Divide. Here’s our review of a singularly grim film…
If The Divide were a big-budget, high-concept Jerry Bruckheimer movie, the pitch to Hollywood executives might be something along the lines of “It’s The Lord Of The Flies in a New York basement”. Like William Golding’s novel, The Divide is about the murkier, primal area of human nature, and it’s probably the bleakest genre film you’ll see all year.
Director Xavier Gens wastes no time in laying his premise out. Nuclear bombs land on Manhattan, and seconds before they’re obliterated by the firestorm, a handful of tenement building residents scramble into a basement for protection. Fortunately for them - or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it - the building’s twitchy superintendent Mickey (Michael Biehn) has made provision for such a disaster,...
If The Divide were a big-budget, high-concept Jerry Bruckheimer movie, the pitch to Hollywood executives might be something along the lines of “It’s The Lord Of The Flies in a New York basement”. Like William Golding’s novel, The Divide is about the murkier, primal area of human nature, and it’s probably the bleakest genre film you’ll see all year.
Director Xavier Gens wastes no time in laying his premise out. Nuclear bombs land on Manhattan, and seconds before they’re obliterated by the firestorm, a handful of tenement building residents scramble into a basement for protection. Fortunately for them - or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it - the building’s twitchy superintendent Mickey (Michael Biehn) has made provision for such a disaster,...
- 4/13/2012
- Den of Geek
Director: Xavier Gens Writer: Karl Mueller, Eron Sheean Starring: Lauren German, Milo Ventimiglia, Michael Biehn, Ashton Holmes, Peter Stormare, Rosanna Arquette, Courtney B. Vance, Michael Eklund The Divide opens to frantic chaos as an unspecific nuclear strike slams New York City. The panicked residents of a highrise apartment building stampede to the basement in a last-ditch effort to escape the horrific destruction above. Luckily for them (debatable), their cigar toking super named Mickey (Michael Biehn) has fashioned the basement level of the building into fallout shelter. Micky immediately takes the alpha role since they are all on his turf and orders that the reinforced metal door be sealed shut with nobody allowed to come or go until they are sure that radiation is no longer an issue. In no time confrontations begin to emerge as "the mouthy insane one" Bobby (Michael Eklund), "the tough guy" Josh (Milo Ventimiglia), and "the...
- 1/13/2012
- by Dave Campbell
- SmellsLikeScreenSpirit
A new selection box of stills from Xavier Gens' ('Frontiere(s)') new apocalyptic thriller 'The Divide' have trundled their way onto the Interweb. Lauren German ('Hostel: Part II'), Milo Ventimiglia ('Heroes'), Michael Biehn ('Aliens'), Michael Eklund, Rosanna Arquette, Courtney B. Vance, Ivan Gonzalez, Ashton Holmes, Jennifer Blanc and Abbey Thickson all star as tenants of an apartment building who are thrown together as they try and survive a nuclear attack, which ultimately leads to violence, tensions and the loss of humanity. Check out the new stills below....
- 12/23/2011
- Horror Asylum
Anchor Bay has just debuted the opening sequence for their new film, The Divide. The post-apocalyptic thriller directed by Xavier Gens opens in theaters on January 13th. Lauren German, Michael Biehn, Milo Ventimiglia, Courtney B. Vance, Ivan Gonzalez, Michael Eklund, Abbey Thickson, Ashton Holmes and Rosanna Arquette make up the cast.
Here is the synopsis:
In the film, nine strangers-all tenants of a New York high rise apartment-escape a nuclear attack by hiding out in the building's bunker-like basement. Trapped for days underground with no hope for rescue, and only unspeakable horrors awaiting them on the other side of the bunker door, the group begins to descend into madness, each turning on one another with physical and psycho-sexual torment. As supplies dwindle, and tensions flare, and they grow increasingly unhinged by their close quarters and hopelessness, each act against one another becomes more depraved than the next. While everyone in...
Here is the synopsis:
In the film, nine strangers-all tenants of a New York high rise apartment-escape a nuclear attack by hiding out in the building's bunker-like basement. Trapped for days underground with no hope for rescue, and only unspeakable horrors awaiting them on the other side of the bunker door, the group begins to descend into madness, each turning on one another with physical and psycho-sexual torment. As supplies dwindle, and tensions flare, and they grow increasingly unhinged by their close quarters and hopelessness, each act against one another becomes more depraved than the next. While everyone in...
- 12/10/2011
- by Tiberius
- GeekTyrant
The film hitting theaters on January 13th, Anchor Bay Entertainment has released the opening scene from their violent, post-apocalyptic thriller The Divide . Check it out in the player below! The Xavier Gens-directed film stars Lauren German, Michael Biehn, Milo Ventimiglia, Courtney B. Vance, Ivan Gonzalez, Michael Eklund, Abbey Thickson, Ashton Holmes and Rosanna Arquette. In the film, nine strangers-all tenants of a New York high rise apartment-escape a nuclear attack by hiding out in the building's bunker-like basement. Trapped for days underground with no hope for rescue, and only unspeakable horrors awaiting them on the other side of the bunker door, the group begins to descend into madness, each turning on one another with physical and psycho-sexual torment. As supplies...
- 12/9/2011
- Comingsoon.net
In anticipation of the impending release of the director's cut of The Divide the opening scene of the film (once made briefly available a while back) is now online. The director's cut will contain additional footage not seen during its previous screenings at SXSW and Fantasia 2011. Initial markets on January 13th will include New York, Los Angeles, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas and Denver with additional markets to be announced. In this graphic and violent, post-apocalyptic thriller starring Lauren German, Michael Biehn, Milo Ventimiglia, Courtney B. Vance, Ivan Gonzalez, Michael Eklund, Abbey Thickson, Ashton Holmes and Rosanna Arquette , "Nine strangersall tenants of a New York high-rise apartmentescape a nuclear attack by hiding out in the buildings bunker-like basement. Trapped for days underground with no hope for rescue, and only unspeakable horrors...." Hit the jump to check out the clip!
- 12/8/2011
- bloody-disgusting.com
Hot on the heels of the news earlier this week that Xavier Gens' ('Frontiere(s)') end of the world thrill-ride 'The Divide' will be arriving in all its uncut glory next January comes a trio of brand new stills. The new stills were nveiled by Shock Till You Drop and feature a selection of the main players some of which include Lauren German ('Hostel: Part II'), Milo Ventimiglia ('Heroes'), Michael Biehn ('Aliens'), Michael Eklund, Rosanna Arquette, Courtney B. Vance, Ivan Gonzalez, Ashton Holmes, Jennifer Blanc and Abbey Thickson. Check out the stills below...
- 11/4/2011
- Horror Asylum
After six years, Toronto After Dark is bigger than ever. The films are better, the lines are longer and the fan-frenzy is wilder. This year’s chilling selection included: civil war zombies, creepy abductors, cliff-hanging killers, post-apocalyptic insanity and suburban hell – a sci-fi horror fan’s paradise.
Writer-director John Geddes’ Exit Humanity is a post-civil war zombie epic set in 1870’sTennessee. When his wife and son fall victim to the undead, Edward Young (Mark Gibson in a breakout performance) flees across the countryside for survival, but zombies are the least of his worries after he’s captured by a band of ruthless Confederate soldiers who are obsessed with conducting medical experiments. Geddes‘ concept of zombies in the old west is a fresh perspective on the popular genre. The film’s use of animation (a budgetary decision) advances the action excellently and the beautiful cinematography makes this a great-looking period movie.
Writer-director John Geddes’ Exit Humanity is a post-civil war zombie epic set in 1870’sTennessee. When his wife and son fall victim to the undead, Edward Young (Mark Gibson in a breakout performance) flees across the countryside for survival, but zombies are the least of his worries after he’s captured by a band of ruthless Confederate soldiers who are obsessed with conducting medical experiments. Geddes‘ concept of zombies in the old west is a fresh perspective on the popular genre. The film’s use of animation (a budgetary decision) advances the action excellently and the beautiful cinematography makes this a great-looking period movie.
- 11/2/2011
- by Nigel Hamid
- SoundOnSight
Anchor Bay Films has announced today that on Friday, January 13th 2012, they will be releasing theatrically the full, unrated directors cut of Xavier Gens The Divide (review) in theaters. The version will contain additional footage not seen during its previous screenings at SXSW and Fantasia 2011. Initial markets on January 13th will include New York, Los Angeles, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas and Denver with additional markets to be announced. In this graphic and violent, post-apocalyptic thriller starring Lauren German, Michael Biehn, Milo Ventimiglia, Courtney B. Vance, Ivan Gonzalez, Michael Eklund, Abbey Thickson, Ashton Holmes and Rosanna Arquette , "Nine strangersall tenants of a New York high-rise apartmentescape a nuclear attack by hiding out in the buildings bunker-like basement. Trapped for days underground with no hope for rescue, and only unspeakable horrors awaiting them on the ..."...
- 10/31/2011
- bloody-disgusting.com
We have added the new full trailer for director Xavier Gens (Hitman) upcoming post-apocalyptic horror thriller, "The Divide." The Anchor Bay Film's, end of the world movie stars Lauren German, Michael Biehn, Milo Ventimiglia, Michael Eklund, Rosanna Arquette, Ashton Holmes, Courtney B. Vance, Iván González, Jennifer Blanc and Abbey Thickson.Watch the trailer for "The Divide" below in HD;"The Divide" is released across the Us in January. A UK release date has not been set.In this graphic and violent, post-apocalyptic thriller, nine strangers-all tenants of a New York high rise apartment.-escape a nuclear attack by hiding out in the building's bunker-like basement. Trapped for days underground with no hope for rescue, and only unspeakable horrors awaiting them on the other side...
- 10/12/2011
- by Anthony Pearson
- Monsters and Critics
Following the premiere of the poster , the trailer for the violent, post-apocalyptic thriller The Divide has come online as well and can be watched using the player below. Opening in theaters in January, the Xavier Gens-directed film stars Lauren German, Michael Biehn, Milo Ventimiglia, Courtney B. Vance, Ivan Gonzalez, Michael Eklund, Abbey Thickson, Ashton Holmes and Rosanna Arquette. In The Divide , nine strangers-all tenants of a New York high rise apartment-escape a nuclear attack by hiding out in the building's bunker-like basement. Trapped for days underground with no hope for rescue, and only unspeakable horrors awaiting them on the other side of the bunker door, the group begins to descend into madness, each turning on one another with physical and psycho-sexual...
- 10/11/2011
- Comingsoon.net
'Frontiere(s)' helmer Xavier Gens gets his hands onto more violence and depravity in his new post-apocalyptic thriller 'The Divide'. It hits theatres early next year and Shock Till You Drop have got first peek at the great looking new one-sheet for the movie which features all the main cast members trapped together in a bunker. Lauren German ('Hostel: Part II') stars alongside Milo Ventimiglia ('Heroes'), Michael Biehn ('Aliens'), Michael Eklund, Rosanna Arquette, Courtney B. Vance, Ivan Gonzalez, Ashton Holmes, Jennifer Blanc, Peter Stormare ('Fargo') and Abbey Thickson. Check out the new poster below....
- 10/6/2011
- Horror Asylum
The Divide movie review. Review of The Divide, starring Lauren German, Milo Ventimilia, Michael Biehn, Michael Eklund, Rosanna Arquette and Courtney B. Vance It's worth wondering whether we'll have any warning when the end of the world comes. These days, we're on top of most things—we know when wars will start and end, when economies will collapse, and when our taxes are due. But plenty of us grew up under the nuclear shadow, and it's that shadow that collapses in the opening moments of Xavier Gens new psychological thriller "The Divide." Yes, the bombs are falling in an unnamed American city, and residents of one apartment building scramble to get into the basement, which is inhabited primarily by the superintendent, Mickey, a survivalist by nature played by one-time action star Michael Biehn. He's a crusty, cantankerous loner who suddenly has to share his stash of food and water with...
- 7/28/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
The Divide movie review. Review of The Divide, starring Lauren German, Milo Ventimilia, Michael Biehn, Michael Eklund, Rosanna Arquette and Courtney B. Vance It's worth wondering whether we'll have any warning when the end of the world comes. These days, we're on top of most things—we know when wars will start and end, when economies will collapse, and when our taxes are due. But plenty of us grew up under the nuclear shadow, and it's that shadow that collapses in the opening moments of Xavier Gens new psychological thriller "The Divide." Yes, the bombs are falling in an unnamed American city, and residents of one apartment building scramble to get into the basement, which is inhabited primarily by the superintendent, Mickey, a survivalist by nature played by one-time action star Michael Biehn. He's a crusty, cantankerous loner who suddenly has to share his stash of food and water with...
- 7/28/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
The Divide movie review. Review of The Divide, starring Lauren German, Milo Ventimilia, Michael Biehn, Michael Eklund, Rosanna Arquette and Courtney B. Vance It's worth wondering whether we'll have any warning when the end of the world comes. These days, we're on top of most things—we know when wars will start and end, when economies will collapse, and when our taxes are due. But plenty of us grew up under the nuclear shadow, and it's that shadow that collapses in the opening moments of Xavier Gens new psychological thriller "The Divide." Yes, the bombs are falling in an unnamed American city, and residents of one apartment building scramble to get into the basement, which is inhabited primarily by the superintendent, Mickey, a survivalist by nature played by one-time action star Michael Biehn. He's a crusty, cantankerous loner who suddenly has to share his stash of food and water with...
- 7/28/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
The Divide
Written by Karl Mueller and Eron Sheean
Directed by Xavier Gens
USA, 2011
At one point late in Xavier Gens’s interminable The Divide, one character informs another that there remains one way out of the predicament facing the pitiless survivors holed up in a dank basement at the end of the world, but it’ll involve wading through a significant amount of shit. That’s the most useful visual metaphor offered by Gens’s third feature for the experience of watching it: pointlessly unpleasant, and seemingly without end.
The film’s chief drawback is evident almost immediately – call it “Jack Nicholson in The Shining” syndrome. Opening with Eva (a mostly-catatonic Lauren German) witnessing a nuclear holocaust outside her window, the film wastes no time stranding her and eight others (calling them a “band” might imply some kind of unity) in the bunker-like basement of an apartment complex. There,...
Written by Karl Mueller and Eron Sheean
Directed by Xavier Gens
USA, 2011
At one point late in Xavier Gens’s interminable The Divide, one character informs another that there remains one way out of the predicament facing the pitiless survivors holed up in a dank basement at the end of the world, but it’ll involve wading through a significant amount of shit. That’s the most useful visual metaphor offered by Gens’s third feature for the experience of watching it: pointlessly unpleasant, and seemingly without end.
The film’s chief drawback is evident almost immediately – call it “Jack Nicholson in The Shining” syndrome. Opening with Eva (a mostly-catatonic Lauren German) witnessing a nuclear holocaust outside her window, the film wastes no time stranding her and eight others (calling them a “band” might imply some kind of unity) in the bunker-like basement of an apartment complex. There,...
- 7/23/2011
- by Simon Howell
- SoundOnSight
French director Xavier Gens, whose previous horror effort was the fantastic 'Frontier(s)' (Aka 'Frontiere(s)'), is back in the genre with new sci-fi thriller 'The Divide'. This post-disaster tale which pits a small group of survivors against each other in an apartment building basement has been picked up by Anchor Bay who have acquired the rights to the movie during this year's SXSW fest. Sexy 'Hostel: Part II' ball-slicer Lauren German (below) stars alongside Milo Ventimiglia ('Heroes'), Michael Biehn ('Aliens'), Michael Eklund, Rosanna Arquette, Courtney B. Vance, Ivan Gonzalez, Ashton Holmes, Jennifer Blanc, Peter Stormare ('Fargo') and Abbey Thickson. Check out the one-sheet below....
- 3/16/2011
- Horror Asylum
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