Preservation

Preservation is a gripping movie that was released in the year 2014. Blending together themes of survival, horror and action, the movie is directed by prolific director Christopher Denham. The film takes viewers on a thrilling experience, and dynamic performances from the stars Wrenn Schmidt, Pablo Schreiber, and Aaron Staton ensure the suspense never wanes.

The plot revolves around three main characters, a married couple Mike (played by Aaron Staton) and Wit (played by Wrenn Schmidt) and Mike's brother Sean (played by Pablo Schreiber). Sean is a military veteran and the dynamic between the three is interesting to watch as Sean never fails to bring his experience and approach to their outing. What was intended to be a relaxing hunting trip quickly turns into an enduring test of survival, fighting the human instincts as they all must face their primal fears.

The film presents a discerning view on humanity and the divide between being a predator or prey, forcing the trio to confront their survival instincts. Unsettling occurrences and unseen foes turn their vacation into a fight for survival against unseen assailants, leaving our main characters in a state of unease and dread where every second counts.

Wrenn Schmidt adorns the persona of Wit, a highly intelligent anesthesiologist who initially relies on her husband Mike, played by Aaron Staton for emotional stability and protection. Wit's transformation throughout the story from a dependent spouse to a strong, self-reliant individual forms one of the main arcs of Preservation. Aaron Staton convincingly portrays Mike, a genial yet complex character who is balancing the roles of a caring husband to Wit and a competitive brother to Sean. Pablo Schreiber's character Sean adds an emotional depth to the movie with his poignant portrayal of a war veteran dealing with his own internal and external battles.

Set in an expansive dusky forest, the movie's setting creates an eerie backdrop to the story and is character in and of itself. The forest's isolation increases the suspense as it becomes a hunting ground of unexpected dangers and unseen threats. Cinematic metaphors, like the loss of their hunting dog and diminishing cellphone reception, provide striking symbolism about the unexpected dangers in nature and feed into the ongoing tension.

Themes of survival, primal fear, and the line between humanity and savageness is expertly woven into the fabric of the storyline. The film effectively explores the surging depths of our survival instincts when pushed to the limit. It delves into how hunter can become hunted, confronting the fight or flight response that comes when our existence is at stake.

Director Christopher Denham’s well-orchestrated narrative unfolds steadily, meticulously building a sense of creeping dread with each scene. Rather than relying heavily on gore and violence to invoke horror, Denham masterfully uses suspense, intrigue and psychological thrill to elicit a bone-chilling viewer experience.

Throughout the film, Denham does an excellent job of introducing subtle elements that later mutate into major threats, isolating the fear factor to the audience imagination. He uses every element at his disposal—from the eerie woods to the omnipresent danger—to create a constant state of fright and discomfort.

Preservation is a tour de force of psychological horror—it’s about humans vs nature, humans vs humans, and above all, humans vs themselves. Its gritty realism, immersive performances, and Denham's unique approach to storytelling make Preservation a must-watch for fans of suspenseful wilderness thrillers. Despite its wilderness setting, Preservation is a deeply human story about survival and the primal instincts we each carry within us.

In conclusion, Preservation is a suspenseful, well-acted and thought-provoking movie about human instincts and survival. Whether you're a fan of thrillers or not, the performances by Wrenn Schmidt, Pablo Schreiber, and Aaron Staton, combined with an intriguing plot and beautiful cinematography make it a movie worth watching. It’s the sort of film that lingers in your mind long after the credits roll.