Benjamin Brewer's directorial debut, starring Nicolas Cage, follows a survivalist single dad and his two sons in a post-apocalyptic world filled with unknown terrors. Despite a familiar premise, the film effectively builds tension and delivers an action-packed climax, with solid digital effects adding to the suspense. Much like Gareth Edwards did with 'Monsters,' Brewer demonstrates the power of a small budget and strong storytelling. Cage's performance, while understated, adds depth to the narrative, but leaves audiences wanting more. The film expertly follows the genre's rules by slowly revealing the monsters and keeping viewers engaged with character-driven drama. Overall, it's a lean and competent thriller that stays true to its conventions, establishing Brewer as a director to watch, following in the footsteps of successful predecessors like Edwards.