The Silent Era

Azrael (E. L. Katz, 2024)

Post-apocalyptic films are a frequent setting in sci-fi and horror; practically a genre in itself with how common it's become, but there aren't that many out there with a Biblical theme, thus Azrael (2024) has made it onto my radar. E. L. Katz, who I first discovered from his debut, dark comedy Cheap Thrills (2013), has managed to deliver a lean little eighty-five minute film survival horror set after the Rapture. Sold!

Years after the prophetic event, all that's left in the world are the undesirables. Azrael centres around Samara Weaving — who has really grown into her own actress, rather than the once labelled as Lidl brand Margot Robbie — plays the titular character. Azrael is the Angel of Death in various religions; here, she's an escaped prisoner from a woodland community of religious psychopaths. They're all God-fearing mutes now, since the removal of their vocal cords. A cross-like scar is left on their throats.

The majority of Azrael is dialogue free. This might be a potential deal breaker for many, but considering the aphonic No One Will Save You (2023) was the best film last year (still no 4K release) for your host, that's not an issue at all. Thankfully, Azrael succeeds in a similar manner in a narrative told with physical actions and intriguing world-building.

Samara Weaving's performance is of someone completely put through the wringer. She’s able to tell a lot just with emotions in her facial expressions. Big blue eyes say a lot when contrasted with all the mud and blood she's covered in. There are occasional texts that appear on screen that serve as quasi-Biblical like gospel to the proceedings in the film. They're few and infrequent, but lend well to the overall dark and brutal tone of the film.

Considering all the good 'uns are all in Heaven, the remainder are left behind. With no room left in Hell, charred looking, flesh-eating zombies also walk the Earth. Much of the bloody horror content is attributed to the zombies ripping and eating the flesh of any poor souls they catch. There's also Weaving's gruesome takedowns of her captors whilst exacting bloody revenge on them.

As far as low budget, post-apocalyptic films go, Azrael looks surprisingly good, considering it's mostly set in remote woods with a bunch of old tents. There's a lot of ambiguity, but it doesn't feel like it's intentionally done in an annoyingly pretentious manner, but still requires work reading into the world Katz has created. It becomes rewarding, as it leads to an unforgettable climax which ends the film on a high note for me.

Definitely  a Marmite movie for many, but of all the religious themed horror films released this year, Azrael stands out considerably for its creativity, storytelling and above all, its entertainment factor.