Director: Mahalia Belo

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Writers: Alice Birch, Megan Hunter

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Stars: Jodie Comer, Joel Fry

 

Jodie Comer leads the select cast in this post apocalyptic survival film. When flash floods hit London, on the same night our lead goes into premature labour, the city is evacuated. The main character, who goes without name, is forced to retreat to her in laws (Mark Strong and Nina Sosanya) with her husband (Joel Fry) and 2 day old son, Zeb, in tow. Complications occur, including being separated from her husband, as she is forced to travel the countryside between refuge camps and communes in a bid to keep herself and her son alive. Along the way she befriends a fellow single mother, portrayed wholesomely by Katherine Waterstone, and they form a Thelma and Louise-esq friendship whilst showcasing their feminine and motherly strength. 

 

The film suffers from slight cliches and the fast moving plot makes the audience question the scale of threat. We leave London on the night of the disaster and within two days the human race has turned savage and food supplies have dried up, there is one scene where both mothers are walking through a town and go into one of the houses to find supplies but there is nothing left and the town looks like it has been abandoned for years. The film is also crammed with metaphors and symbolism, to the extent of the flood smashing the windows of their home whilst she gives birth. It’s all a bit…icky. 

 

That being said, despite these flaws, the film is powerful, emotional and all beautifully held together with Comer and Waterstones performances. Cameos from Benedict Cumberbatch, Gina McKee and Mark Strong strive to support the already fantastic central performances. 

 

The script also focuses heavily on the strength of women and the ability she has to keep going despite the hardship faced in such dire circumstances, all whilst carrying a newborn baby on her chest. So many survival stories have male protagonists (Children of Men, Leave No Trace, Light of my Life) but The End We Start From doesn’t shy away from its central girl power.