The world changed forever in just one single day. At first, the living ate the dead, but by Year 10, the living ate the living and turned to cannibalism. In the present day, survival is everything. The film opens with Jake (Toby Goodger) and his father (Duncan Lacroix) wandering in the woods, hunting for food and seeking various animals. While walking, the pair find a rundown car, which they investigate for supplies such as food and old used cigarettes. Once they’re done hunting and surviving for another day, the pair return to their home, built in the woods by hand. Inside the house is a girl (Hannah Khalique-Brown) who is currently in bed suffering from a dangerous and bloody wound. Keeping her alive is a medication that Jake gives her daily.
The following day, Jake’s father stumbles across a group of men who have malicious intentions. Thankfully, Jake and the girl are still hidden underground, but Jake’s father tries to confront the men. Tragically, he loses his life in the process. After his father’s death, the men take his belongings from his backpack, including the medication necessary to keep the young girl alive. Now, Jake must prepare himself to track down this violent tribe, seeking revenge for his father and, more importantly, try to retrieve the medication to ensure the girl’s survival. Survival is everything!
Year 10 can best be described as a horror film. It features a futuristic aspect, particularly with the catastrophic event explained at the beginning, which introduces a strong sci-fi element to the story. For those who may not know, the film was written and directed by Ben Goodger, marking his directorial debut.
Despite a slow pace and zero dialogue (it’s unknown why no one speaks), Year 10 is a tense and thrilling watch. Firstly, I love the world that we are introduced to. While it’s not quite like the wasteland of Mad Max, it’s evident that life on planet Earth is at its all-time worst, and everyone must fight for themselves to survive in a way of life that is also at an all-time low. The lack of medicine, the houses built in the woods, and the difficulty finding essentials like water make life nearly impossible. When characters find any form of food, even rotten, they eat it for survival due to their desperation (plus, I’m sure it’s better than eating a human).
The film presents excellent stakes through its story, revolving around themes of revenge and the lengths one will go to save someone one loves dearly. Jake often resembles a hunter, stealthily approaching his objective and trying to navigate the challenges he faces. While some of Jake’s plans don’t unfold as he hopes, and these unexpected turns add to the suspense of the narrative. By the film’s climax, I found myself deeply invested, uncertain how it would end and whether Jake would succeed in his quest. Additionally, I initially found Toby Goodger’s leading performance a bit uneven, but as the film progressed, his character became increasingly relatable, and he delivered a compelling portrayal.
Overall, Year 10 is an impressive horror film, especially considering it is a directorial debut containing no dialogue. Several moments are compelling, gripping, violent, and tense. Although some character choices may be questionable and certain characters feel uneven initially, I found myself deeply invested in the story. I was eager to see how it would unfold and what possibilities could arise next. This film is one to add to your list if you consider yourself a horror buff!
Year 10 (2024) is Available on DVD & Digital in Australia from February 5th!
FILM SCORE: 6.0/10
Published: 3rd February 2025
Written by: Peter Walkden
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