The Saviors Review: The sci-fi thriller film The Saviors is a curious watch that makes you question your sanity, the plot and the characters all at the same time. Following an ordinary suburban couple, Sean and Kim, who rent out their garage to mysterious strangers only to face a shocking situation that is far beyond their comprehension, the film is an interesting watch that does a good job of mixing its different genres.
Touching on topics about prejudice, suspicion, xenophobia and a marriage on the rocks, the film showcases how situations escalate when we start off with different biases. Starring Adam Scott, Danielle Deadwyler, Theo Rossi, Nazanin Boniadi, Kate Berlant, Ron Perlman, Colleen Camp, and Greg Kinnear, the film is directed by Kevin Hamedani.
The Saviors Review
A Marriage Falling Apart Meets a Suspicious New Arrival
One of the topics that the film starts off with is a marriage that is on the brink of breakdown. Sean and Kim are going through a ton of problems, and although it’s confusing at first, viewers slowly realise the problem at the heart of it. Kim is a person of colour, something that comes with its own societal difficulties. With a racist family to cater to, it’s clear why Kim isn’t very fond of whatever she has with Sean and those around him. Thus, when Amir and Jahan arrive, it opens a whole other can of worms that highlights Kim’s problems with Sean.
The film is close to Sean’s perspective, and thus, viewers can see all of these issues up close. As suspicions grow, viewers can clearly see everything that is wrong with some of his perspectives while being forced to acknowledge that there’s truly something wrong with Amir and Jahan. As tensions rise, things start to get muddled up, and so does Sean and Kim’s relationship. What could’ve been a straightforward mystery thus becomes much more uncomfortable and complex.
As mysterious lights and missing animals around the neighbourhood make everything seem disturbing, viewers find themselves getting increasingly more uncomfortable by the prospect of what’s in store not just with Sean’s guests, but also with his relationship with his wife.
The Saviors Uses Paranoia to Talk About Prejudice
The Saviors showcases how quickly paranoia can turn suspicion into certainty. While Amir and Jahan can be considered odd, Sean’s own assumptions and preconceived notions turn seemingly simple things into something more complex. While the series ultimately takes a more sci-fi turn, the first half of the film is an uncomfortable exploration of xenophobia, racial profiling and the dangers of making someone seem dangerous without any idea about who they are. The social commentary goes hand-in-hand with the other elements of the story and isn’t just another attempt to cash grab.
With the way things are unfolding around the world, the film arrives at a timely moment. The messaging isn’t always subtle, and there are several very direct moments that might take viewers out of the immersive experience. But overall, this uncomfortable comedy gets the point across well, also thanks to its fantastic performances.
When the Comedy Makes the Thriller More Uncomfortable
Comedy often goes hand-in-hand in uncomfortable situations, as darkly funny moments arise even in the midst of increasingly irrational situations. As Sean and Kim investigate their new guests, these uncomfortably funny moments stop the film from turning into an extremely heavy watch and give it some breathing room. However, not everything works in the film’s favour, and some sequences simply stand out a bit too much. While some of the nuanced comedy moments fit right in, some of the more over-the-top sequences stick out like a sore thumb, especially surrounding Greg Kinnear’s character.
The Mystery Keeps You Guessing
The mystery evolves throughout the runtime of The Saviors. It starts off with understanding whether or not Sean is correct in his analysis of his guests, evolving into whether or not anything is real or true. At some point, things just get out of hand, and viewers are left to wonder whom to believe and what to trust. The choice to explore different genres works in the film’s favour; it keeps things uncomfortable and viewers on their toes.
Of course, the ending might not be everyone’s cup of tea. It’s true that it might seem a bit far-fetched at times, and even a bit too convenient, but I enjoyed the way the film went from a terrifying story about prejudice, racism and xenophobia to something completely out of the blue. While it might not be for everyone, I have to say that this shocking turn of events can be quite enjoyable.
Does The Saviors Stick the Landing?
The film can feel divisive to many. The way sensitive topics are presented is very interesting and, for me, leaves a better impact on viewers than just being a straightforward film. However, the ending twist is where things might get dicey. Overall, though, it’s able to hold our attention for the most part and, with fantastic performances, this one’s impactful. The final stretch could’ve shown more restraint since it seems to be trying to drive the point home too much. Even then, it’s a really uncomfortable movie!
Final Verdict
In the end, The Saviors is uncomfortably enjoyable and leaves an impact on viewers. While its final stretch can be questionable to some viewers, overall it makes viewers think more deeply about covert racism and the horrible discrimination that people face simply for having a different skin colour or habits. The sci-fi element is a bit on the nose and unnecessary, but it makes for a fun ending nevertheless.
The Saviors premiered at the 2026 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival and is slated to be released in 2027. Are you excited to see the Adam Scott film? Let us know in the comments below!
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