PREVIEW: All The Lost Ones (2025 Film) - Brings Post-Civil War Tension to UK Digital this September

Preview by Jon Donnis

A second American Civil War. A world battered by climate collapse. Out of this bleak vision comes All the Lost Ones, a tense and morally charged thriller landing on UK digital this September from Reel2Reel Films.

Directed by Mackenzie Donaldson, best known for producing Orphan Black and Snowpiercer, the film plunges viewers into a landscape where survival is as fragile as the scorched earth beneath it. Jasmine Mathews (The Tomorrow War, The Man from Toronto) leads the cast as Nia, a young woman whose pregnancy forces her to confront impossible choices in a society that has already lost its way.

The story follows Nia and her boyfriend Ethan, played by Douglas Smith (Don't Worry Darling, Big Little Lies), who are hiding on the fringes of the Bruce Peninsula while a brutal militia called the Conservancy tightens its grip on the nation. With her sister Penny (Vinessa Antoine, Ginny & Georgia, Grey's Anatomy) at her side, Nia is torn between surrendering to the regime or risking everything on a perilous escape. Their only hope lies in the faint possibility of finding The Extremists, a resistance force whispered about in rumours but never proven real.

As the militia closes in, All the Lost Ones raises unsettling questions about what kind of world is worth fighting for, and how far someone will go to protect the next generation. With Lochlyn Munro (Riverdale, Scary Movie) adding to a strong ensemble, the film blends dystopian intensity with human vulnerability.

This is not just another post-apocalyptic thriller. It is a sobering reflection of the times, holding a mirror to today's fractured world while asking audiences to imagine the cost of doing nothing.

All the Lost Ones arrives on UK digital platforms 1 September, courtesy of Reel2Reel Films.

Apple TV - https://apple.co/4mq6qX5

REVIEW: Civil War (2024 Film) - Starring Kirsten Dunst and Nick Offerman

Review by Jon Donnis

"Civil War," directed by Alex Garland, promised to be a gripping narrative set against the backdrop of a nation torn apart by civil strife. However, what unfolds on screen is a disappointing and underwhelming experience.

The film follows a group of journalists led by renowned war photographer Lee Smith, played by Kirsten Dunst, as they navigate the dangerous landscape of a nation engulfed in civil war. Despite an intriguing premise, "Civil War" fails to deliver on its potential.

One of the film's major shortcomings is its lack of compelling storytelling. Rather than delving into the ideologies driving the conflict, the narrative focuses primarily on the ethical dilemmas faced by the journalists. This narrow focus makes the film feel like a missed opportunity to explore the complexities of the civil war setting.

While there are moments of tension and some nice cinematography, they are not enough to salvage the film from its overall dullness. The characters fail to engage, and the storyline lacks depth and nuance.

One redeeming aspect of the film is the incorporation of real-life footage depicting the violence perpetrated by radical far-left anarchists. However, this is not enough to save the film from its overall lackluster execution.

In the end, "Civil War" is a film that fails to live up to its potential. It is a missed opportunity to explore important themes and instead delivers a dull and uninspired viewing experience. I score "Civil War" a poor 3 out of 10.

Out in cinemas now.