Mr. E
The Remaining, a film which takes a great risk in combining the Horror genre with Christian Film genre, is an interesting concept with both good and bad outcomes. As was mentioned by other reviewers this film in particular really took a risk in that it drew in the secular-horror crowd, which was mostly critical of the film's 'religious' content, while at the same time it drew in a Christian crowd who was somewhat apprehensive of the 'horror' content. That aside, what of the movie itself? Let's get started! From the prospective of filmography, the film did a good job with creating a sense of thrill from the various settings, lighting, and the many graphics effects employed. Often from time to time the film would switch to the use of a 'cam-corder' and 'smart- phone' prospective, which was not too annoying for the viewer. For the most part it appeared to be believable with a few hiccups here and there. However, given the budget that they had to work with, I would say that they did a good job overall in this area.From the sense of acting and script-writing, I would also say that it was generally believable. Nothing really stood out to me as being over- acted or under-acted as in the case of many 'Christian' B-movie type films with lower budgets. Also, in comparison with many horror type movies, I would say that it held its own with the plethora of horror movies to compete with. The feel of the movie started out with a young- adult type feeling, then quickly moved into a more mature type feeling to it. I would say that this was used by the director to show the gravity of the situation at hand with the end of the world and how it would impact people at a deeper level when the true nature of their mortality is revealed.Now on to my objections. As a Christian, I enjoyed the concept of a 'Rapture' movie. I believe that the Rapture is a biblical concept. In fact, I think it would be neat to have a TV Show or Movies akin to 'The Walking Dead' type feeling set in this type of 'biblical-tribulation' type setting with this budget. I think that would be fantastic. However, this movie in particular was not faithful to the Bible's description of the Rapture in a few ways. First, the Bible states, "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." - 1 Thessalonians 4:17. I take this to mean that the actual body will be sent up with the Lord. This film portrayed the bodies remaining, while the souls departed. I think that this was done for dramatic/horror effect, not Biblical teaching. The next major problem that I had with the film from a Biblical prospective is that it makes it appear that after the Rapture the first thing to happen is the Hail / Fire / Blood from the sky as noted in the verse: "The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up." - Revelation 8:7 This portrayal totally ignores the six previous seals from Revelation 6, which include some very well-known events such as the 'Four Horsemen', martyrdom of many, great earthquake/sun blackened, etc. So, according to the Bible, a great many serious events occur before the Hail / Fire / Blood event occurs. None of these other events were shown as having happened at all.Next, a major problem exists with skipping the three judgments that occur after the Hail / Fire / Blood which include: 1/3 Bloody sea, Asteroid 'Wormwood', and 1/3 part of Sun/Moon/Stars destroyed. These would have made for good effect. Perhaps they did not have the budget for these events. Finally, on the fifth trump come the Scorpion/Demons that effect the people in the movie. On to these creatures. In staying consistent with the Bible, these creatures cannot harm those with the 'Seal of God' as noted: "And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads." - Revelation 9:3-4 I would think that those surrendering to Christ, would be given the seal. However, in the movie it is portrayed that once a person 'surrenders to God' then the creatures come and kill them. This is certainly the opposite of the Bible.So, from the prospective of being a faithful adaptation to what the Bible teaches, I would say that this film is lacking and is even doing damage to what people think about what the Bible teaches! A bad outcome! However, if this film is viewed lightly as a generally Christian concept film that is not trying to be faithful to the actual Bible, then all of this could be ignored. The film could be seen as a maverick film trying to break into a new genre, and even giving ideas for future Christians to make films. For this reason it could have a good long-term outcome! All things considered, I give it a 7/10.
Wagner Paiva Fernandes
Very cool movie, perfect for people that like stuff like FINAL: THE RAPTURE and Thief in the Night, movies that I personally love. I find the overall atmosphere endearing at first and tense at the right times. If you are not a born again Christian, if you are a atheist or if you hate God, you are going to hate this movie. For the rest, enjoy it, it is a very well made End of Times horror Christian movie, if such thing is possible =) But yes, Thief in the Night had some horror elements, much scarier than real horror movies really, cause it relies more on tense and serious subjects than on blood. This movie is certainly way edgier than the old Thief in the Night series, and yes, the soundtrack is not Christian at all. But if you want a apocalyptic fix, look no further. If you do not hate God with all your heart, you will probably enjoy this very much =)
David Arnold
After watching the trailers for his film a while back, I couldn't understand at first why it's classed as Faith & Spirituality instead of Horror, and it's that that was delaying me from watching it as I wasn't interested in a preachy Christian based film. After taking a chance and watching it, I can understand the Faith & Spirituality entry.I'm an atheist but I don't mind films with religious context e.g. The Exorcist, The Omen, etc because those aren't preaching i.e. they're not subconsciously saying you MUST believe in God, or else. I saw them as being good story's inspired by a fictional book. With The Remaining, though, the underlying message did come across as a bit preachy in the telling of the Rapture i.e. believers are "saved" yet non-believers are left on Earth to live out their sinful life.Which brings me to another reason on why I didn't enjoy this film and that is I found it to be contradictory. For instance, non-believer's aren't "taken" yet as soon as they suddenly claim faith they're accepted by God and are "taken". I can't see how a non-believer can suddenly change their beliefs in an instant like that and are suddenly treated as if they have been faithful all their lives. It just doesn't make sense no matter what spin religious people put on it.Even taking the religious context out of it, it's still just not a very good film. The beginning was pretty promising, but it just ended up being a pretty stop/start movie because there are parts where you think it will pick up for it to only just shudder to a stop again. As for the film's anti-climactic ending, well, that just capped it off for me.One thing I will say is that the special & visual effects are very decent, and I did enjoy the demonic figures. It's just a pity we didn't see more of them, or that there wasn't more suspense throughout the film.The Remaining isn't a hideous movie, but I wouldn't recommend it unless you're maybe one of the "believers".
