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.