SETTLERS (2021) – A Movie Review

Introduction

Writer-director Wyatt Rockefeller’s debut feature Settlers is not your typical science-fiction fare. Unlike films such as 2015’s The Martian, Rockefeller’s film is one that is rooted in minimalism. Dialogue is kept to a minimum. Character interaction and plot explanations are also far and few between.

While the dialogue may not be abundant, Rockefeller’s cast of actors delivers solid performances across the board. It is this, as well as outstanding set design and cinematography that make Settlers an above-average film. It’s framed and shot brilliantly, and the frequent use of one-point perspective is reminiscent of Kubrick.

The press kit for Settlers refers to the film as being a “sci-fi/western.” This characterization is too narrow for this kind of ambitious film. Rockefeller’s one serious flaw here is that he is trying to do too much with too small a budget. Still, the end result, while not perfect, will get the attention of the moneymen in Hollywood when it’s time for his next feature film.

Synopsis

Settlers is divided into three chapters. The film starts as we briefly survey a dusty and weathered outpost on Mars. We are introduced to a father named “Reza” (Jonny Lee Miller). This is followed by meeting the mother/wife “Ilsa” (Sofia Boutella), and their daughter “Remmy” (Brooklynn Prince).

As we delve deeper into Settlers, we soon find out that this outpost requires no breathing apparatuses. Nor any space suits, or pressurized living quarters. What kind of “Mars” is this? We find out later, as this plotline is one of the few throughout the film that achieves any sort of resolution or climax.

This family is hoping to cultivate some semblance of what their former life on Earth used to be like. “Earth isn’t what it once was” Reza states to nine-year-old Remmy. While the sentiment is there, the viewer doesn’t feel optimistic. Rockefeller purposely creates a lingering sense of dread throughout the first act of Settlers, and for good reason.

The clues start to mount that this family is not alone and the dread factor starts to ramp up. As night becomes day on this Martian outpost, the word “leave” is scribbled across one of the windows in blood. An expertly filmed gun battle breaks out between Reza and mysterious nomads. It should be noted that on Mars, tactical weapons are carried by all.

We are soon introduced to Jerry (an intense Ismael Cruz Cordova). He is a quiet, yet menacing man, who indicates that this particular outpost was his former home. Rockefeller’s script is laying down really interesting themes of colonialism that unfortunately really never go anywhere.

Analysis

The film’s perspective is told from the eyes of Remmy. This is a smart choice as she is by far the most interesting character throughout Settlers. While Jerry comes off as a threatening character, he is at times warm and sympathetic. It’s a tough balancing job that Cordova pulls off masterfully. Drama and confrontation soon ensue.

Settlers leaps ahead about ten years or so at the start of the film’s final third. Nell Tiger Free (fantastic in the nanny-from-hell series Servant) is now playing Remmy. Aside from the bizarre subplot and inclusion of a poor mans’ Wall-E-type robot named “Steve,” the final 30 minutes of the film becomes a standard suspense/thriller.

Conclusion

Arguably the best thing about Settlers is its visuals. They are dynamic and vast. Noam Piper’s industrial-style production design is top-notch. The film also uses practical effects to some degree of success. Specifically, with regards to William Todd-Jones’ puppeteer work. Rockefeller’s debut feature is ambitious, and to some degree, a success.

Unfortunately, the narrative of the film begins to fall apart in the third act, and never fully recovers from it. While Wyatt Rockefeller’s screenplay is ambitious, it’s never fully realized. This is likely due to budgetary and time constraints. South Africa’s Namaqualand desert was a convincing stand for the planet Mars.

As the characters in Settlers become more and more secluded, Rockefeller ruins a perfectly good chance to explore the at times destructive nature of colonization. This is particularly relevant today with what people like Richard Branson and Elon Musk are proposing with regards to the future of humankind.

Ultimately, at the end of Settlers, we are left with more questions than answers. Perhaps this is the way that Rockefeller wanted it. Perhaps the script was not fully fleshed out. Regardless, it’s a low-budget Art House film that’s wrapped up in a fancy big-budget science fiction package. It doesn’t fully work, but it is a solid first outing for Rockefeller.

Settlers had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 18, 2021. It is scheduled to be released on July 23, 2021, in the United States by IFC Midnight.

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