Survival: Afterlife in 4D

Survival: Afterlife is a 2022 American thriller film directed by Steven Quayle and written by Eric Heisserer. Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillette from a script by James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick. It is the sequel to Survival: Awakening (2022) and the seventh and final installment in the original film series. The film stars Seann William Scott, Shannon Elizabeth, Eric Knudsen, Jack Quaid and Mikey Madison. The plot tells about the latest adventure of a group of teenagers, which will put everything in its place.
The film was shot simultaneously with its predecessor, because it is one story divided into two films. Filming, like the sixth film, took place in Vancouver.
Survival: Afterlife was released theatrically on December 25, 2022 and on DVD on March 3, 2023 by Paramount Pictures. The film received mixed reviews from critics, some of whom considered it both an excellent conclusion to the trilogy, but at the same time a weaker film than the previous two. Other reviewers criticized the film for bringing nothing new to the franchise, weak character development, and mediocre dialogue, but also praised the use of 4D, visual effects, inventive death scenes, and the return of suspense as opposed to campy campiness. The film grossed $152 million worldwide against a budget of $40 million, becoming the third highest-grossing film in the franchise.
== Plot ==
Two years after Scott and Nora's wedding, the friends decide to travel together again to celebrate the fifth anniversary of their friendship and second marriage. This time they choose an incredible journey through the ancient ruins of which legends speak, looking for answers to questions that have been tormenting them for many years.
During their journey, they encounter new dangers and mysteries that force them to remember their strength together. They discover secrets that connect to past adventures and reveal new aspects of their friendship.
But this time their opponent is the old hermit Darwin, who is more cunning and powerful. They are forced to confront him, using all their skills and experience to save not only themselves, but also the world from a new threat. Darwin destroys all the main characters' belongings, forcing them to survive for 3 weeks before being found.
In the end, the friends understand that only by uniting and trusting each other can they defeat evil and overcome all difficulties. Their friendship becomes their most important weapon, and they are willing to go to the end to protect each other and the world from evil.
The film ends with the friends returning home, realizing that adversity has only strengthened their friendship, and they are ready to take on any challenges that come their way in the future. This great adventure of theirs will become an everlasting memory and an example that strength and true friendship can overcome any obstacle.
== Cast ==
* Sean William Scott as Scott
* Shannon Elizabeth as Nora
* Arnold Schwarznegger - Darwin
* Eric Knudsen as Hal
* Jack Quaid as Stein
* Matt Keeslar as Eddie
* Dylan Minnette as Sisel
* Mason Gooding as Chuck
* Kyle Gallner as Tobey
* Joel Harris as Richard
* Robert Englund as Marty
* Jacqueline MacInnes Wood as Catalina
* Nick Stahl as Rob
== Release ==
=== Marketing ===
The UK's Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has ruled that the original theatrical poster, which was used on buses and trains over the summer, was "likely to cause fear and undue anxiety in children". He ruled that the advertisement should not appear again in its original form.
Paramount responded by saying the poster "accurately and appropriately reflects the content of the film without causing undue fear or anxiety." They also added that the poster's dark gray and black colors are "unlikely to attract the attention of young children" and that the "surreal" image does not depict people, blood or any real-life violence.
The ASA, which received 13 complaints, three of which said their children were upset, ruled: "We considered that the image was likely to attract children's attention, particularly as it was shown on a poster on the tube where it was a non-targeted media outlet. Because very young children may have been exposed to these violent advertisements, they may have caused children to become fearful and unduly anxious.”
=== Box office ===
Survival: Afterlife finished second at the weekend box office with $26 million, falling behind. It was also Survival's third-biggest opening to date behind 2019's Survival: Vendetta ($38 million) and 2022's Survival: Awakening ($31 million). The seventh film grossed $73 million domestically for a worldwide total of $152 million, becoming the third highest-grossing film in the franchise.
=== Home media ===
Survival: Afterlife was released on DVD and Blu-ray Disc on March 3, 2023. The Blu-ray Disc comes in two forms: a movie-only edition and a Blu-ray Disc/DVD/UltraViolet edition. The Blu-ray 3D edition was released exclusively through Best Buy. The film grossed $7 million from home sales.
== Reception ==
=== Critical response ===
Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports that 64% of 136 critic reviews are positive, with an average score of 5.7 out of 10. The site's critical consensus reads: "Still only for those craving the atmosphere of the original, Afterlife delivers a surprising adventure for the franchise " Metacritic, which assigns weighted scores, gives the film a score of 57 out of 100 based on 29 critics, indicating "mixed to average reviews." Audiences surveyed by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale.
Todd Gilchrist of Boxoffice Magazine called the film "the best 4D thriller ever made" in his review.
The visual effects were praised for improving on the weak CGI from the previous installment. Betty Jo Tucker of ReelTalk Movie Reviews said in her review, "The film boasts some of the best visual effects ever."
The film's death scenes have been praised as disturbing, creative and shocking.
== Other Media ==
=== Game ===
Based on the film, the game Survival: Instincts was released on May 27, 2023 on PC, PS5. It was received positively by critics, becoming the highest-rated and most successful game in the franchise.
== Series ==
Survival: Backstory is scheduled to release on January 23, 2025 on Paramount+. The studio stated that it will support the series for more than 8 years. This will be a prequel to the first film.