The Journey

The Journey theatrical release poster

**The Journey** is a 2017 American independent post apocalyptic adventure film. It was produced by Elija Le and directed by Marianne Nichols.

## Synopsis

In a bleak post apocalyptic world, three friends travel across a vast desert landscape in search of a settlement rumored to exist somewhere along the California coast.

Thomas is a former mercenary and bounty hunter who dreams of becoming a farmer and a life free of violence. Alison and her heavily pregnant girlfriend Maya are searching for a place to call home, one where they’ll be safe from the constant fear of abduction and sexual slavery.

After several weeks weeks of wandering, the three find a settlement in the remains of Bakersfield. They are initially welcomed until it becomes apparent that the inhabitants are cannibals who intend to kill and eat the group. The group narrowly manages to escape and again begins wandering aimlessly through the now forest covered countryside in search of the mythical settlement.

Maya eventually starts going into labor and the group goes to a derelict field hospital in the hopes of finding a safe place for her to give birth. The hospital is inhabited by a mercenary force or former soldiers who refuse to help the group but do allow them to leave without incident. Maya eventually painfully gives birth in an old warehouse, while everything initially seems to be going smoothly, Maya starts bleeding uncontrollably.

As an increasingly worsening Maya spends time with her new son, Alison and Thomas argue about how to help her. Thomas in vein even offers to try raiding the hospital they’d previously encountered. Alison and Maya share an emotional night together, that night Maya awakens and lovingly glances at her girlfriend and their newborn son. The next morning it’s discovered Maya has passed away from blood loss during the night. A distraught Alison can’t bring herself to leave Maya’s side until Thomas reminds her that Maya died for her son and it was now their responsibility to protect him to honor her sacrifice.

Alison, her son and Thomas desperately try finding a way to feed an increasingly hungry child. Alison reminisces about Maya and how they met when Maya saved her life. Thomas admits that he never really believed there was a settlement but went anyway as he believed protecting the young couple would be atonement for the horrible things he’d done as a mercenary.

The film ends with the three walking off into the night, their fate uncertain.

## Cast

* Thomas Banks as Thomas: A former mercenary who undertakes a dangerous journey to lead a couple to safety
* Miranda Snow as Alison: A tough but compassionate survivalist and the girlfriend of Maya
* Maggie Marks as Maya: A courageous and loving expectant mother and the girlfriend of Alison
* Malcolm Wallace as Hawk: The leader of a group of cannibals residing in the ruins of Bakersfield
* Taylor Kent: The leader of a band of mercenaries and military deserters occupying a derelict field hospital

## Background and Production

The film was written and directed by independent filmmaker Marianne Nichols, Nichols was mostly an independent short film director who was praised for creating relatable characters and relationships. Nichols’ idea for the film came from an incredibly vivid dream of two young women aimlessly searching for a safe place in a hostile world.

Elija Le is a freelance choreographer and producer who had worked primarily in dance and theater productions. Le agreed to finance and produce the project.

Thomas Banks was a 39 year old theater actor who had no previous experience in film but came with a breadth of experience. Miranda Snow was a 24 year old ballerina and the romantic and professional partner of Elija Le. Margaret Marks was a 21 year old college student and retired ballerina who was the best friend of Snow. Snow and Marks were picked due to Le and Nichols belief that their friendship would make their onscreen connection believable, and that their physicality would both make their characters believable as post apocalyptic survivors but also help them make it through the difficult shoot.

The film was shot in California, including locations in San Bernardino County and Los Angeles County.

## Reception

Despite an incredibly low budget and limited release, The Journey was praised for its atmosphere and its likable characters. The performances of the three leading actors, none of whom were professional or experienced actors were also highly praised. Despite the unconventional appearance of a pregnant same-sex couple in a post apocalyptic film, their relationship and chemistry were particularly noted by critics as being genuine and believable. Maya’s emotional goodbye to Alison where Maya asks her to keep their child safe and find a home for him was noted by Greg Reed of The Film Inquirer as being "Far more emotional and emotionally devastating than a film of this budget would normally have produced."

The film had a limited theatrical release, however it went on to become a cult classic and earned $1.8 million, primarily through DVD sales and streaming.