For nearly two years, the concept and threat of an apocalypse, and what that would mean for society, has been on the minds of the entire world’s population more so than any other time in recent memory. What used to be a plot device for film and television, and a pop culture parody, was suddenly a grim and frightening possibility. 

For some, portraying post-apocalyptic themes in media during a worldwide Pandemic might be seen as taboo or bad form, the genre has reigned supreme for decades, and it’s clear it isn’t going anywhere, no matter current worldwide circumstances. This also makes it exceedingly difficult for any film or show to stand out and deliver unique material within an apocalyptic setting, particularly when it deals with zombies.

Entombed, a Norwegian sci-fi horror feature film written and directed by Kjell Hammerø, endeavours to loom distinctly over the crowd of zombie flicks with a human-centered story about what lies beneath the surface, both figuratively and literally.

No time is wasted in the first few frames to throw the audience directly into the story, as we see protagonist Seamus (Jan Neal Holden) on the run from zombie-like creatures in the dead of night. Just before he becomes zombie food, Seamus manages to stumble upon an underground bunker inhabited by the grizzled Konrad (Sigurd Aae Klausen). 

Upon initial survey of his new surroundings, Seamus feels as though he’s hit the Doomsday jackpot when Konrad explains the setup of the fortified subterranean shelter. Though it’s a refuge from the treacherous conditions above ground, supplies are running low, and there will be a necessary trek to gather more provisions soon. Konrad also reveals he isn’t alone; his wife, Mila (Martine Johansen) is there as well, but is comatose in bed for reasons unknown to him. 

Coincidentally, Konrad and Seamus refer to the creatures as “Walkers,” just like that ultra popular zombie television show, which seems like an odd decision when there’s a plethora of other terms they could have gone with. Regardless, Konrad makes it clear that he wants nothing to do with the outside world or the Walkers, not to mention the fact that he has Mila to care for and worry about. He tells Seamus that he’s in possession of a small helicopter, and if it can be fixed up, it could serve as a solution to their dwindling stock.

As is the case with most things that seem too good to be true, though, bread crumbs of suspicion begin to be sprinkled as the days pass by. When Seamus discovers that Mila not only isn’t actually in a coma, she’s also not Konrad’s wife, and is being held against her will, forced to lie motionless in bed and pretend to be incapacitated in order to avoid being killed. 

From this point, Entombed becomes a delicate game of deception and outwit, as Seamus must come up with a plan to save both himself and a weakened Mila, versus an ever-increasingly unhinged Konrad. The notion that the circumstances he’s found himself up against in the buker are more perilous than those above ground is a jarring realization for Seamus, as he wrestles with moral decisions in a life or death situation. 

Entombed feels much larger in production than it actually is, and it’s obvious the filmmakers used every bit of their budget in all the right places. The cinematography is smart, and uses vantage points and wobbly camera work that give off a feeling of unease. 

The performances of the three leads are equally as strong, and truly carry the weight of the film. Klausen portrays Konrad with quiet confidence, toeing the line between calculating psychopath and believable survivalist. Holden and Johansen really hone their skills to deliver authentic depictions of desperate victims who are struggling to keep their humanity in the midst of an unforgiving and cruel new world. 

While it could be argued that overall, Entombed doesn’t completely bring enough new material to the table for it to be unique, it does bring thought provoking moments that focus on the dark side of human nature. When pushed to the brink, we are all capable of behaving in ways we wouldn’t normally in order to survive and protect those we love. This is a film you’ll be thinking about long after the final credits roll, and hoping you never live in a world like theirs.

7.5 out of 10