Watch Nuclear

Nuclear is a 2019 British independent film directed by Catherine Linstrum and starring Emilia Jones, Sienna Guillory, and Oliver Coopersmith. The film follows an eccentric young couple, Emma and Mark, living in a secluded post-apocalyptic world after a devastating nuclear explosion has left the planet uninhabitable. The couple lives in a house with a bunker, where Mark spends most of his days obsessed with tracking radiation levels and building a machine to try and communicate with the outside world. Meanwhile, Emma tries to maintain a semblance of normalcy, keeping a garden and attempting to enjoy her simple life with her partner. The movie begins with Emma struggling to cope with her sense of isolation and longing for a child, while Mark is slowly losing his grip on reality, consumed by his obsession with the machine he is building. As the story unfolds, it becomes apparent that their idyllic life is not as it seems, and the couple's relationship starts to unravel. The film's thematic focus on isolation and relationships is excellently executed by the lead actors, who deliver powerful and nuanced performances. Emilia Jones shines in her portrayal of Emma, successfully conveying both her strength of character and the fragility of her emotional state. Similarly, Oliver Coopersmith gives a convincing performance as Mark, a man struggling to cope with the aftermath of the destruction around him. Despite dealing with heavy themes, the film is also visually gripping. The cinematography is stunning, with wide shots of the post-apocalyptic landscape juxtaposed with intimate close-ups of the main characters. The film creates a sense of tension and unease throughout, keeping the viewer engaged and on the edge of their seat. One of the film's standout elements is its minimalist approach to storytelling. The film relies on subtle visual cues and the characters' emotions to convey the story, rather than relying on copious amounts of exposition. This minimalism allows the audience to build their interpretation of the events unfolding, adding an engaging layer of nuance to the film. Overall, Nuclear is a powerful film that deals with complex themes in an engaging and visually stunning way. Despite its bleak setting, the film manages to deliver a message of hope, reminding us of the resilience of the human spirit in even the most trying times. The film proves that even with a small budget, a film can be a triumph through skilled storytelling, nuanced performances, and superb cinematography.