It was a fun little movie that was clearly made on a limited budget that leaves things to the audience to decide.
225 Reviews
Decent
PsychoBeard66622 April 2021
Plenty of laughs but ended too soon
Tron7916 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I haven't laughed so hard in quite some time. Do you remember "Tribbles" from Star Trek? Imagine if the world was taken over by fat cute tribbles! A NYC couple decides its time to turn off the phones and get off the grid for awhile to "reconnect". They go off to a cabin in the woods and not long after these Tribble "Puff" creatures start causing havoc for the whole world. This movie is almost entirely a two actor show. It could have almost been done as a play, since it was mostly dialogue between Sunita Mani (who played Su) and John Paul Reynolds who played Jack. This couple was totally inept of real world skills. Their arguments about using a gun was hilarious, because I could imagine real people having this conversation. I thought Sunita Mani was adorable. John Paul Reynolds played the "modern sensitive non masculine man" to perfection. I fell over when they returned from hiding in the bathroom weilding a toilet plunger and a toilet bowl cover as weapons.
I thought the movie was going great. The acting was wonderful, and I thought we were getting somewhere, but the final act was very disappointing for me. The story ended very abruptly. All of those laughs turned into disappointment. I was confused by the ending. But this doesn't take away from the fun performances of our two main actors.
I thought the movie was going great. The acting was wonderful, and I thought we were getting somewhere, but the final act was very disappointing for me. The story ended very abruptly. All of those laughs turned into disappointment. I was confused by the ending. But this doesn't take away from the fun performances of our two main actors.
End of Days
evanston_dad2 December 2020
How well would a bunch of quinoa-eating, anti-gun liberal progressive Instagramers fare if faced with protecting themselves from an alien invasion?
That's the question this movie asks, and watching the answer play out is humorous, but I couldn't help but think how much better a movie could have been made from such a good premise. For a liberal progressive like myself, it's easy to put myself in the shoes of the protagonists, a hipster couple from New York who decide to take a break from social media at the worst possible time, and there are some chuckles to be had at making fun of them and by extension myself. The film is at its best in the first half, as this oblivious couple gradually catches on that something is amiss. But it unravels the longer it goes on, and the ending falls apart, as if the filmmakers painted themselves into a corner they didn't know how to get out of.
In a year as terrible as 2020, the film's message, which can essentially be boiled down to valuing those closest to you and forget the rest, is welcome. I just wish it had come in a better package.
Grade: B-
That's the question this movie asks, and watching the answer play out is humorous, but I couldn't help but think how much better a movie could have been made from such a good premise. For a liberal progressive like myself, it's easy to put myself in the shoes of the protagonists, a hipster couple from New York who decide to take a break from social media at the worst possible time, and there are some chuckles to be had at making fun of them and by extension myself. The film is at its best in the first half, as this oblivious couple gradually catches on that something is amiss. But it unravels the longer it goes on, and the ending falls apart, as if the filmmakers painted themselves into a corner they didn't know how to get out of.
In a year as terrible as 2020, the film's message, which can essentially be boiled down to valuing those closest to you and forget the rest, is welcome. I just wish it had come in a better package.
Grade: B-
interesting but end is unsatisfying
shashrvacai26 April 2021
Charming science-fiction comedy with a few lengths
kluseba13 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Save Yourselves! Is a quirky science-fiction comedy movie with sympathetic characters that actually remind me of a couple I know. Su and Jack love each other but spend most of their time on the internet and more specifically on social media. When they come to realize that technology has taken too much space in their lives, they decide to travel to a lodge upstate where they plan on disconnecting from technology for an entire week. The challenge is much more difficult than anticipated and as soon as the couple is ready to commit to changes in their lives, they learn about a strange alien invasion. Soon enough, they meet these strange extraterrestrials that look like pouffes. They seem harmless at first but the nervous couple soon changes its mind when they witness how the pouffes kill a family father and a family mother. They decide to take care of the orphaned baby and are now on an epic quest for survival.
This movie convinces on several levels. The mixture of comedy, science-fiction, mild horror and some social criticism is perfectly balanced. The two lead characters are quite quirky, dynamic and charming. Sunita Mani and John Reynolds have excellent chemistry on screen. The story is unpredictable and comes around with a few creative twists and turns. Despite a low budget, the extraterrestrials look quite intriguing. The locations are simple but well chosen for the plot. The soundtrack focuses on pop music with creative depth and blends in perfectly. The lighting and sound effects are crafted very beautifully as well.
On the negative side, the film's middle section has noticeable lengths. Especially the conversations between Su and Jack can be slightly repetitive and predictable. The ending is quite controversial as well. Personally, I thought it was quite imaginative and beautiful while others have complained about the film's lack of closure and a seemingly aborted ending. This unconventional approach invites you to use your own creativity instead of answering every single question in this film.
In the end, Save Yourselves! Isn't movie of the year material and probably not a film I will revisit anytime soon but it's a visually beautiful science-fiction comedy with quirky characters that is mostly entertaining. Since the movie industry has been suffering due to the ongoing pandemic, it's great to watch something fresh and new. I will always prefer discovering something new than revisiting classics over and over again.
This movie convinces on several levels. The mixture of comedy, science-fiction, mild horror and some social criticism is perfectly balanced. The two lead characters are quite quirky, dynamic and charming. Sunita Mani and John Reynolds have excellent chemistry on screen. The story is unpredictable and comes around with a few creative twists and turns. Despite a low budget, the extraterrestrials look quite intriguing. The locations are simple but well chosen for the plot. The soundtrack focuses on pop music with creative depth and blends in perfectly. The lighting and sound effects are crafted very beautifully as well.
On the negative side, the film's middle section has noticeable lengths. Especially the conversations between Su and Jack can be slightly repetitive and predictable. The ending is quite controversial as well. Personally, I thought it was quite imaginative and beautiful while others have complained about the film's lack of closure and a seemingly aborted ending. This unconventional approach invites you to use your own creativity instead of answering every single question in this film.
In the end, Save Yourselves! Isn't movie of the year material and probably not a film I will revisit anytime soon but it's a visually beautiful science-fiction comedy with quirky characters that is mostly entertaining. Since the movie industry has been suffering due to the ongoing pandemic, it's great to watch something fresh and new. I will always prefer discovering something new than revisiting classics over and over again.
This movie goes nowhere
leo_mirotti5 October 2020
This movie is so slow! But not "slow developing", slow into nothing happening. And the ending its just an insult, thw writers saying "yeah, i'm tired of writing, just don't do the ending, no problem".
The humor was almost funny for like 3 minutes. Repeat, almost... The rest of the movie, is not funny. The effects are pretty much none.
A world invasion movie where they stay inside, do nothing, and when they go ouside they go maybe 2 miles and back to doing nothing but in the forest. Then the movie ends, but has no ending. What were they thinking releasing this???
A world invasion movie where they stay inside, do nothing, and when they go ouside they go maybe 2 miles and back to doing nothing but in the forest. Then the movie ends, but has no ending. What were they thinking releasing this???
Interesting enough
dar041718 February 2021
One of the worst movies I've ever sat through
collinwhitmire29 January 2021
I really don't understand how people actually like this film at all. I absolutely couldn't stand the main characters. Kept waiting for this movie to go somewhere, but it never did. Ending was super lame.. Yeah, yeah we live in our own bubbles.. I would have enjoyed watching the main characters killed more than anything..
It is what it is
countbasye18 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I thought the leads were great and had a real chemistry with each other. The numerous hate reviews seem way over the top. It's sort of an oddball indie kind of film. Definitely not for everyone, but everything doesn't have to be. I would have preferred a little more resolution with the ending, but I think they had written themselves into a bit of a corner. Ambiguous might have been the best ending we could hope for for these very likeable characters and their incredibly cute found baby. Pulling out some kind of miracle to save the situation would have felt forced. I like the concept of these two characters basically being in a dialogue driven light comedy movie that is itself inside of a pretty insidious planet wide apocalyptic horror film, ala This Is The End. So if you enjoy offbeat, character driven, sci fi (ish), films with people who are able to recognize and mock their own flaws without wallowing in them, check this out. You might enjoy it. I did. :-)
Ugh. Save yourself, or at least, 90 minutes of your time.
Hal_Opinot-Pepper22 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Technically well-made enough, I suppose, but this is the kind of movie that I hear made Sundance and wonder what the standards really are at that festival. A couple of exactly the sort of unbearable hipsters you don't live in Brooklyn because you're afraid you'll meet spend like a half hour arguing about their relationship (because that's the sort of escapism you want in a movie, sitting through arguing about a relationship for 30 minutes) before heading up to a friend's cabin, while the world is invaded by alien poofballs who drink all the alcohol and kill everybody, because, movie, apparently. The couple tries to escape, a woman they could have just given a ride to steals their car and leaves them behind for no reason, they find a baby, stumble around in a hallucinogenic stupor because of a gas the poofballs decide to emit instead of sticking around to kill them (because, movie, apparently), find a pod on the woods which encircles them and lifts them into space, and, the end. Huh? Why is this even a movie?
EDIT: I see from the "trivia" section that the writers cooked up all kinds of backstory that they didn't put in the movie. There's a lesson there. Guys, you have to put things IN THE MOVIE, otherwise, they're not in the movie.
EDIT: I see from the "trivia" section that the writers cooked up all kinds of backstory that they didn't put in the movie. There's a lesson there. Guys, you have to put things IN THE MOVIE, otherwise, they're not in the movie.
Please adjust your expectations!
stenneberg6 October 2020
Many people here seem to hate this movie even though it's so cute and inoffensive as the baby Su and Jack pick up towards the end. I can only guess that the haters expected a serious alien invasion flick with "Independence Day" effects and heroics. Well, it's not! The alien invasion is mostly just background noise to the story of Su and Jack and their often hilarious but relatable ineptitude in the face of first their own little problems and later the big alien problem.
Just expect the quintessential "small" movie, have a glass of wine and maybe you too can enjoy this little gem, with beautiful scenery and cinematography and the cutest couple since "Harry and Sally".
Lousy ending
markthomassintek21 October 2020
REVIEW - SAVE YOURSELVES
Frustration!
When a film even a cheap independent film starts and starts well in a way you have to expect that due to budget there will be for example poor effects, creatures or aliens but honestly and surprisingly I found these to actually add to the charm of this film as it simply doesn't take its self too seriously, sorry I'm jumping ahead, let me start from the beginning.
A couple decide to go away and not look at their various devices for the entire week, no phone, no tablets, no laptop and just enjoy each others company.
While away earth gets invaded by what look like Tribbles, yes Star Trek fans a version of our favourite pest returns but this version kills people!
What do they do? what would you do?
I'm not sure if this film is listed as a comedy but a few times I did chuckle to myself so surprising enjoyed this except for the sheer waste of time ending, what happened, you actually get hooked, start enjoying and actually sit on the edge of your seat at what happens at the end and then nothing?
So yes enjoyable but....?
Rating 6 out of 10
Frustration!
When a film even a cheap independent film starts and starts well in a way you have to expect that due to budget there will be for example poor effects, creatures or aliens but honestly and surprisingly I found these to actually add to the charm of this film as it simply doesn't take its self too seriously, sorry I'm jumping ahead, let me start from the beginning.
A couple decide to go away and not look at their various devices for the entire week, no phone, no tablets, no laptop and just enjoy each others company.
While away earth gets invaded by what look like Tribbles, yes Star Trek fans a version of our favourite pest returns but this version kills people!
What do they do? what would you do?
I'm not sure if this film is listed as a comedy but a few times I did chuckle to myself so surprising enjoyed this except for the sheer waste of time ending, what happened, you actually get hooked, start enjoying and actually sit on the edge of your seat at what happens at the end and then nothing?
So yes enjoyable but....?
Rating 6 out of 10
Could have been so much more
chasejk-5624824 January 2021
When the world goes poof!
paul-allaer2 October 2020
"Save Yourselves!" (2020 release; 93 min.) brings the story of John and Sue, a couple in Brooklyn. As the movie opens, they are bickering about computer and smart phone time. After attending a party where a friend offers his renovated updated cabin for free for a week, John and Sue eagerly take up the offer, and furthermore, they decide to disconnect from their phones and computers... At this point we are 10 min. into the film but to tell you more of the plot would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.
Couple of comments: this small-budget indie movie was written and directed by Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson, this being their feature length debut. The story is the umpteenth reimagination of what "the end of the world" might look like, but they bring it with an original twist that I will not give away. Watch the film and the title of my review will make all the sense in the world. Sunita Mani (as Sue) and John Reynolds (as Jack), best known for their respective TV work, are enjoyable in the lead roles. They are in just about every frame of the film, and for long stretches it's just them. This film is billed as a scifi comedy, and I suppose it is. But I must be honest: rarely laughed (and certainly not out loud). The film lacks gravitas to be taken seriously, but it also lacks truly funny moments to work as a comedy. Instead what we get is an off-center indie film that is more quirky than anything else.
"Save Yourselves!" opened this weekend at my local art-house theater here in Cincinnati, of course fully adhering to all COVID-19 social distancing and other protocols. Not that it matter much, as the Friday early evening screening where I saw this at was attended poorly: exactly 3 people (including myself) in the theater's largest room. I honestly don't know how this and other theaters can keep operating like this on a profitable basis. Meanwhile, if you have any interest in an atypical "end of the world" scifi comedy, I'd readily suggest you check this out , be it in the theater, on VOD, or eventually on DVD/Blu-ray, and draw your own conclusion.
Couple of comments: this small-budget indie movie was written and directed by Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson, this being their feature length debut. The story is the umpteenth reimagination of what "the end of the world" might look like, but they bring it with an original twist that I will not give away. Watch the film and the title of my review will make all the sense in the world. Sunita Mani (as Sue) and John Reynolds (as Jack), best known for their respective TV work, are enjoyable in the lead roles. They are in just about every frame of the film, and for long stretches it's just them. This film is billed as a scifi comedy, and I suppose it is. But I must be honest: rarely laughed (and certainly not out loud). The film lacks gravitas to be taken seriously, but it also lacks truly funny moments to work as a comedy. Instead what we get is an off-center indie film that is more quirky than anything else.
"Save Yourselves!" opened this weekend at my local art-house theater here in Cincinnati, of course fully adhering to all COVID-19 social distancing and other protocols. Not that it matter much, as the Friday early evening screening where I saw this at was attended poorly: exactly 3 people (including myself) in the theater's largest room. I honestly don't know how this and other theaters can keep operating like this on a profitable basis. Meanwhile, if you have any interest in an atypical "end of the world" scifi comedy, I'd readily suggest you check this out , be it in the theater, on VOD, or eventually on DVD/Blu-ray, and draw your own conclusion.
A fun little movie
SleepingMorpheus4 October 2020
This is minimalistic and micro budgeted film that doesn't take itself too seriously. The plot includes a typical millennial couple going on a retreat with no internet. So they don't know that the Earth is attacked by fluffy killer aliens.
This movie has some pacing issues in first act, but then fun begins until the end. The end is left ambiguous enough which might put off some viewers but makes sense at the same time. There is not much into the story per se, but the small touches with dialogs and situations keeps it interesting. It doesn't try to reinvent the genre and plays safe, but the leads Su and Jack handle it too charmingly to be too noticeable. If you are looking for a minimalistic movie with loads of fun, this is it.
This movie has some pacing issues in first act, but then fun begins until the end. The end is left ambiguous enough which might put off some viewers but makes sense at the same time. There is not much into the story per se, but the small touches with dialogs and situations keeps it interesting. It doesn't try to reinvent the genre and plays safe, but the leads Su and Jack handle it too charmingly to be too noticeable. If you are looking for a minimalistic movie with loads of fun, this is it.
Save yourself some time and do something else
anthony-201-2353746 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Worst movie for 2020
Don't waste your time watching this. There are tons of better movies to watch.
No questions were answered in the movie
Why do the Pouffes love Ethanol?
What's the purpose of the Pouffes invading Earth?
What do they want?
A movie with no ending
What's the glass structure towards the end
Why did they fly off and to where?
If you wanted to emphasize on technology, social media running our lives then don't add the aliens coz it does not add up!
Lame dialogue
I would have have marked it negative 10 if there was a rating for it...
Original idea
wojciechsmierzynski2 April 2022
I've never come across this story before. For me, the main focus is on the couple lacking any everyday skill that is faced with the end of the world, and how they approach it. The aliens are just a concept and shouldn't be taken seriously.
I've enjoyed this one.
I've enjoyed this one.
Boring movie with unlikeable characters.
ParanoidPenguin6 October 2020
Firstly, the characters are the most obnoxious characters ive almost ever seen in a movie. They have no likeable characteristics what so ever.
The movie itself was slow with nothing ever feeling like a truly climactic point in the movie. I don't recommend this movie if you have any other option of something to watch...
Good But Never Reaches For Anything Else
sweidman-2801621 October 2020
"What did Sean Connery say to the hostage with a beard? I'm going to shave you."
"Are we going to have to shave ourselves?"
This might be the funniest movie of 2020. Premiering at Sundance, this took audiences by surprise. The movie follows a couple going off the grid for a week. Whilst doing so, an alien invasion strikes the world by surprise. They don't know this is happening till they discover themselves. Much like the audiences, I was also surprised by how good the movie is. The story makes for a laugh-out-loud comedy and also a satire on how the public is addicted to their phones. I'm glad that the social commentary aspect isn't pushed so heavily in our faces. The subtlety of it helps us focus on the overall fun of the movie. And that's all made possible by the two leads. Sunita Mani and John Reynolds have impeccable chemistry. Anyone could look at them and think they aren't even reading off a script. Everything feels unscripted between the two. I couldn't imagine a better duo.
The movie starts out real strong with the setup, characters, and comedy. At the halfway point, though, you come to realize this is all it's going to get. Going forward into the movie it dips because of that. Undoubtedly, the movie is hilarious and entertaining, but it fails to get any better than it already established. And since it stays on that level it feels lacking. I still had a fun time watching the rest, but without any change I couldn't feel any different. There's not much more to say about the movie. Save Yourselves! is an amusing comedy that takes you by surprise, both by plot points and the whole thing in general, and I'd recommend this to comedy lovers.
This might be the funniest movie of 2020. Premiering at Sundance, this took audiences by surprise. The movie follows a couple going off the grid for a week. Whilst doing so, an alien invasion strikes the world by surprise. They don't know this is happening till they discover themselves. Much like the audiences, I was also surprised by how good the movie is. The story makes for a laugh-out-loud comedy and also a satire on how the public is addicted to their phones. I'm glad that the social commentary aspect isn't pushed so heavily in our faces. The subtlety of it helps us focus on the overall fun of the movie. And that's all made possible by the two leads. Sunita Mani and John Reynolds have impeccable chemistry. Anyone could look at them and think they aren't even reading off a script. Everything feels unscripted between the two. I couldn't imagine a better duo.
The movie starts out real strong with the setup, characters, and comedy. At the halfway point, though, you come to realize this is all it's going to get. Going forward into the movie it dips because of that. Undoubtedly, the movie is hilarious and entertaining, but it fails to get any better than it already established. And since it stays on that level it feels lacking. I still had a fun time watching the rest, but without any change I couldn't feel any different. There's not much more to say about the movie. Save Yourselves! is an amusing comedy that takes you by surprise, both by plot points and the whole thing in general, and I'd recommend this to comedy lovers.
Not Worth It
beto_gauer9 October 2020
This is not sci-fi comedy, it is more like a boring drama with a boring couple.
Not funny at all, not even able to produce a single chuckle.
Sci-fi elements are weak.
One of those movies that makes you feel like you wasted a couple of hours of your life.
Not funny at all, not even able to produce a single chuckle.
Sci-fi elements are weak.
One of those movies that makes you feel like you wasted a couple of hours of your life.
Cute couple, light entertainment and funny
PaxD7522 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This movie is about expectations. I had seen the trailer, saw the "tribbles" (poofs), got a sense of the two main characters (Mani and Reynolds) and knew this wasn't a even a dramedy (just good fun).
The film delivered exactly what I expected - something light, fun, relaxing and surprisingly funny (I had 4-5 laugh out loud moments which is very rare for me) among a light sprinkling of an alien infestation.
The ending was a little too open-ended for my tastes - so I'm just going to assume that this very likable couple (along with baby Jack) had a happy ending. I think the director made the decision to let the viewer decide how it ends.
I'm giving this film a "how it made me feel" rating of 8 because it entertained, put me in good spirits, made me laugh out loud (a rarity) and Sunita Mani/John Reynolds are the cutest couple I've seen in a long time.
The film delivered exactly what I expected - something light, fun, relaxing and surprisingly funny (I had 4-5 laugh out loud moments which is very rare for me) among a light sprinkling of an alien infestation.
The ending was a little too open-ended for my tastes - so I'm just going to assume that this very likable couple (along with baby Jack) had a happy ending. I think the director made the decision to let the viewer decide how it ends.
I'm giving this film a "how it made me feel" rating of 8 because it entertained, put me in good spirits, made me laugh out loud (a rarity) and Sunita Mani/John Reynolds are the cutest couple I've seen in a long time.
Interesting - not really about aliens - little weird more a scify comedy
stefan-526-29613013 October 2020
It's a don't think about it too much and enjoy movie.
The main characters are performing very well together. Near spoiler alert, no naked scenes, no girl-girl or boy-boy kisses, no crazy action scenes, nothing what is put into all the recent movies to get attention, just simple good and funny acting. Yes, it is funny in most parts, sometimes a little weird funny. It's a good 6 rating almost tempted to give it a 7 for trying something different.
The main characters are performing very well together. Near spoiler alert, no naked scenes, no girl-girl or boy-boy kisses, no crazy action scenes, nothing what is put into all the recent movies to get attention, just simple good and funny acting. Yes, it is funny in most parts, sometimes a little weird funny. It's a good 6 rating almost tempted to give it a 7 for trying something different.
It's ok, not sure if I accept the characters as real people
pavlik-690664 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Basically if you're stupid and your partner is stupid then You can go about your life being stupid and there are either no such things as real consequences or you are too stupid to understand consequences so all of your decisions are stupid and you don't react normally to fear. Oh and sometimes you can go to space. That's the movie. It wasn't not enjoyable...
Genuinely funny and charming
StarInspector28 January 2021
The two leads do a great job and are genuinely funny and likable, which is good considering they are the whole movie. While the premise is far from original, it brings enough humor and doesn't overstay its welcome.
A lot of people seem to hate the characters for being "annoying millennials". Don't let this deter you, they are clearly poking fun at big city hipster types. Not in a vicious way, but in a critical way. I mean Jack says he doesn't know how to be a man. That's not affirming wealthy millennial values, but making a joke out of them. This movie has comedy, romance, a dash of Star Trek, and a little social commentary. It's an enjoyable watch even if it's not gonna get repeat viewings.
A lot of people seem to hate the characters for being "annoying millennials". Don't let this deter you, they are clearly poking fun at big city hipster types. Not in a vicious way, but in a critical way. I mean Jack says he doesn't know how to be a man. That's not affirming wealthy millennial values, but making a joke out of them. This movie has comedy, romance, a dash of Star Trek, and a little social commentary. It's an enjoyable watch even if it's not gonna get repeat viewings.
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