It's a Disaster

It was supposed to be just a cozy Sunday brunch for four couples living in a large US city, where Tracy (Julia Stiles), who had recently separated, wanted to introduce her new boyfriend Glenn (David Cross). However, the relaxed and curious atmosphere of chitchat and gossip soon comes to an end when the eight friends learn from a neighbor wearing a bright yellow protective suit that dirty bombs have recently exploded in several US cities—one of them very close by. The group tries to seal off the house and find supplies, while personal conflicts, affairs, and bizarre survival strategies come to light. Eventually, it becomes clear that the chemical attacks are deadly and the young people only have a few hours left. In a mixture of panic, gallows humor, and absurd decisions, options are weighed, rejected, and revisited... much to the delight of the audience of this pitch-black apocalyptic comedy. Todd Berger's arthouse Armageddon in a confined space is particularly convincing thanks to its biting humor and pointed dialogue, which expose the absurdity of human relationships in extreme situations. Instead of spectacular effects, Berger focuses on an intimate atmosphere and the psychological dynamics between the people crammed together, which makes the film refreshingly different. “An intelligent, character-driven chamber play in which the catastrophic off-screen event escalates tensions between four already irritable couples.” (Peter Debruge, Variety) "The scenario lends the dinner party scenario, which Buñuel used with unforgettable absurdity in ‘Exterminating Angel’ and ‘The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie,’ a new, millennium-appropriate dose of sophisticated nonchalance. [...] The bright and cheerful production design contrasts nicely with the story's dark undertones. The film makes optimal use of its single location thanks to the fluid camerawork of veteran cinematographer Nancy Schreiber. The music selection, from Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata to a glockenspiel version of ‘House of the Rising Sun’, perfectly matches the characters' apocalyptic dilemma." (Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter) "A smart, character-driven chamber play in which the cataclysmic offscreen event escalates the tensions between four already testy pairs." (Peter Debruge, Variety) "The scenario injects a new-millennial dose of upscale casual into the dinner-party scenario that Buñuel used, to unforgettable absurdist effect, in Exterminating Angel and The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie. [...] The bright and cheery production design is a fine counterpoint to the story’s pivotal cloud of doom. The movie makes the most of its single location, thanks to the fluent camerawork of accomplished cinematographer Nancy Schreiber. Musical selections, from Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata to a glockenspiel-centric version of “House of the Rising Sun,” are the perfect accompaniment to the characters’ doomsday dilemma." (Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter)