Watch Young Ones

In Young Ones, a post-apocalyptic western, water is the most precious resource in a world where it's become scarce. The film takes place on the outskirts of a society centered around an enormous dam that provides the region's water supply. In this world, people have adapted to life's harshness, with technology serving as a means to an end rather than a convenience.

The film follows a father named Ernest Holm (Michael Shannon), his rebellious son Jerome (Kodi Smit-McPhee), and Flem Lever (Nicholas Hoult). Flem is a reckless young man who has his sights set on the Holm's land, which is fertile enough for cultivating crops. Flem arrives with a proposition: he wants to pay the Holms to lease their land, which they refuse, and everything escalates from there.

The film is split up into three chapters: Ernest, Jerome, and Flem. Each chapter focuses on the perspective of the respective character. The storytelling is nonlinear, with flashbacks utilized throughout the film to provide insight into the characters' motivations and emotions. The flashbacks are particularly effective in conveying the group's deteriorating relationships and showing the lengths people will go to for survival.

The art direction and cinematography of Young Ones are particularly standout elements. The film's environment is crafted in a way that calls to mind classic westerns, with wide-open shots of endless desert plains and sweeping landscapes. The authenticity of the design of the movie's post-apocalyptic world, juxtaposed with the classical western aesthetic, makes for a captivating and unique viewing experience. Additionally, the film's use of color and lighting is striking, particularly in its portrayal of nighttime scenes. Shadows and a blue hue dominate the screen, adding to the film's somber and melancholic mood.

Performances are generally excellent throughout the film. Michael Shannon gives a particularly noteworthy performance as Ernest, portraying him with an understated intensity that makes each scene he's in engaging. Kodi Smit-McPhee is effective in portraying a character torn between his loyalty to his family and his desires. Nicholas Hoult's Flem is an enigmatic character whose motivations and desires are difficult to completely understand.

Although the film's pacing can be slow at times, it's never boring. The stakes gradually escalate, and the film's final act is intense and action-packed. Young Ones is a thought-provoking film that explores themes of survival, family dynamics, and the lengths people will go to for the things they need. None of the characters are entirely good or evil, and the film effectively conveys the ambiguity of people's actions in desperate situations.

Overall, Young Ones is a unique and engaging film that's worth checking out. Its distinctive aesthetic and powerful performances make it a memorable post-apocalyptic movie.

Young Ones is a 2014 western. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8 and a MetaScore of 47.