I do enjoy a good  post apocalyptic movie (or tv show) I don’t remember the first one I ever saw but I suspect it would either have been 1979s Mad Max, or perhaps the New York set (but Italian filmed) Bronx Warriors from 1982. Movies set in a hell on earth type setting are pretty much the ultimate escapism. We get to ‘live in’ a world that we really wouldn’t want to live in were it to become a reality. But on screen they are always exciting to watch.  The  most recent post apocalyptic film that I have seen is End Times, from writer/director Jim Towns (House of Bad) and stars Jamie Bernadette and Craig Stark in the leads and also features Dominique Swain (Lolita), Jessica Morris (One Life to Live); Kaiwi Lyman (American Horror Story), Dan Buran (True Blood), Stefanie Estes (Soft & Quiet), Maria Olsen (I Spit on Your Grave: Deja Vu), Sadie Katz (Wrong Turn 6), and Victoria De Mare (The Beast Inside) in the cast.

In End Times we first meet Claire (played by Jamie Bernadette) who is brutally attacked by …well you know the sort of scum humanity that would roam the Earth were society to collapse. The opening to the film is pretty harsh and does reflect the sort of brutality that also features in another film starring Jamie Bernadette and that film would be I Spit On Your Grave:Deja Vu. The opening scene to End Times definitely shows the viewing that this is going to be a tough film set in a tough world. We soon meet Freddie (played by Craig Stark) who offers to travel with Claire across this crazy world so they can look after each other and not only defend each other against violent humans, but also against the flesh ripping zombie creatures that also roam the landscape. 

As Freddie and Claire travel the countryside, Freddie teaches Claire much needed skills that she will need to survive anything (or anyone) that wants to hurt her, a pretty sweet friendship sparks between the pair of them. Yes we have seen countless zombie horde movies over the years and I guess there is only so many ways to spin that story. Does End Times do anything new storywise with the zombie/apocalypse genre. Perhaps not but it doesnt need to.  Writer/Director Jim Towns gives the story what it needs, Freddie and Claire become friends and try to find safety in a very unsafe world. The onscreen pairing of Freddie and Claire works wonderfully. Craig and Jamie play their roles brilliantly and once again Jamie Bernadette shows her physical acting skills are top notch with some scenes that are most certainly not just mentally exhausting and tense to watch but must have been exhausting to film.  I first saw Jamie in 2014’s The Bunnyman Massacre and over the years she has popped up on my screen in a whole bunch of movies and in every performance, she gives it her all! Definitely an actress to keep an eye on. (I also highly recommend Homestead, and Texas Twister) 

The effects in End Times are also really good. I don’t suspect the budget for the film was mega huge but to be honest It doesn’t look low budget either. I didnt for a second watch this film thinking anything at all about the budget, but I did see some comments online about ‘low budget’ however when I was watching the film, I was into the storyline so I didn’t think about the films production. the filming locations are used perfectly (and boy did it look hot there!) and everything about the film works really well.  For me though the highlight of the film was the pairing of Craig Stark and Jamie Bernadette. They had great onscreen chemistry and it helped solidify my time with End Times. If you like your bleak, grim, and dangerous world type movies. Then I do highly recommend End Times which is out now.