Assimilate

Assimilate is a thrilling Sci-fi horror film released in 2019, directed by John Murlowski and starring Joel Courtney, Calum Worthy, and Andi Matichak. The movie is set in the picturesque town of Centerville and follows two best friends, Zach (Joel Courtney) and Randy (Calum Worthy), who run their own DIY video blog. The two friends stumble upon a sinister conspiracy that turns their small town life upside down.

The film takes off with Zach and Randy documenting the everyday lives of Centerville locals which makes up the content for their video blog. They discover something peculier during their filming practice when they come to realize that the people who they interview are slowly acting strange, and it's not long after that when they discover that they are actually part of an alien invasion. The aliens have the ability to assimilate humans and take over their lives, changing their personalities and behaviour.

Soon enough, Zach and Randy are the only two people left in Centerville who haven't been assimilated. As they try to warn the townsfolk, they discover that their very own families have been taken over by these aliens. As a result, the duo spends the whole night attempting to survive the invasion and protect the planet from the new arrivals by figuring out a way to halt the assimilation process.

Throughout the movie, the tension and suspense builds as the audience is left on edge with every turn of events. The story is one of those that keeps you guessing and thinking about the possibilities of the next move at each turn. With themes of discovery, friendship, betrayal, and fear of the unknown, this film is a complete package of entertaining sci-fi horror.

Assimilate has a strong cast of rising stars, who played their roles with incredible confidence, and managed to navigate the balance between humor and horror. Joel Courtney as Zach proved that he has the range to take on challenging roles while still exuding an undeniable relatability. Calum Worthy, on the other hand, brought a lighthearted humour to many of the film's scenes, while still preserving the movie's spiralling horror aspect.

In particular, Andi Matichak was a standout in the movie, delivering a grounded and nuanced role as Kayla. Her character, a confident and sharp-eyed participant in the video blog and one of the boys' good college friends, provided a lot of the film's tension and made things a bit more amicable.

Despite its standard clichéd Sci-fi horror-driven storyline, what sets Assimilate apart is the way in which it effectively balances sci-fi with horror. The film succeeds in evoking feelings of anxiety, fear, and uncertainty, while also providing plenty of entertainment value through its humor.

The special effects, though not extensively used, were impressive and added to the overall effect of the movie. The mix of real-time, practical effects with computer-generated images provided an engrossing, unnerving experience. The sound effects and music score also complemented the visuals well, creating an immersive experience that made the viewers feel on edge.

Assimilate, although not necessarily groundbreaking, is an impressive entry into the sci-fi horror genre. A well-executed plot and a talented cast marked up the film’s ability to engage audiences with ease. The film is full of scares, thrills, and is a reminder that horror doesn't have to be all dark, sadistic, and gruesome. If you are looking for something that combines humor with horror, then Assimilate should certainly be on your list.