🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: John Glenn
- Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller
- Release year: 2024
- Runtime (length): 1h 31min
- IMDb rating: 5.6/10 (21K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Indestructible robot aliens invade but can’t go above 8000 feet, so a dad has to risk his life below the line to save his sick kid, which totally makes sense because plot.
🍿 Elevation: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The World Above 8,000 Feet
Three years prior to the film’s events, mysterious creatures known as Reapers emerged from underground sinkholes, decimating most of humanity. The survivors now live in isolated communities located at altitudes of 8,000 feet or higher, which the Reapers cannot reach. These communities struggle with dwindling resources and limited communication.

A Desperate Mission
Will, a single father, lives in Lost Gulch Refuge with his son Hunter, who suffers from a lung disease requiring special oxygen filters. When their supply runs low, Will convinces Nina, a former scientist haunted by her past, and Katie, a concerned friend, to accompany him on a dangerous journey to Boulder, Colorado, located below the safety line, to find more filters and a way to combat the Reapers. Nina hopes to test her theories about the creatures’ weakness.

Perilous Journey
The trio navigates treacherous landscapes, encountering Reapers and other dangers along the way. They scavenge for supplies and seek refuge in abandoned locations. Nina uses a device to detect Reapers, while grappling with the loss of her family and her guilt over a past expedition that cost Will’s wife her life. As they venture deeper into Reaper territory, tensions rise, and they face difficult choices to survive.

Discoveries and Sacrifices
The group discovers that the Reapers are not biological beings but rather advanced machines. Katie is killed during an encounter in the mines. Nina theorizes that cobalt may be the key to defeating them. They reach Nina’s former lab, where she successfully creates cobalt-laced bullets. Will gets his needed supplies. Nina kills one of the reapers in her lab and raises a flag for the other communities to see.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Will (Anthony Mackie): A determined single father who ventures into dangerous territory to obtain medicine for his ailing son in a post-apocalyptic world.
- Nina (Morena Baccarin): A resourceful scientist haunted by her past, who seeks to find a way to defeat the monstrous creatures and reclaim the world.
- Hunter (Danny Boyd Jr.): Will’s son, suffering from a lung disease, whose need for medicine drives the plot.
- Katie (Maddie Hasson): Will’s friend who joins him and Nina on their journey and injects spirited resilience to the group.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Katie: “They’re Earth’s new apex predators. And we’re prey. So how do we take our place back?” – Reflecting on the dire situation and challenging the group to find a way to fight back against the Reapers.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: $2,321,801
- Worldwide Gross: $3,606,529
💥 Elevation Reviews
Personal Review
I went into this movie not knowing what to expect, and while it had some cool ideas, it ultimately fell flat for me. The premise of monsters not being able to go above 8,000 feet was interesting, but it felt underdeveloped. I was hoping for more explanation about the creatures and their origins. Mackie and Baccarin did a decent job, but even they couldn’t save the weak plot. The ending was a letdown. Overall, it’s a forgettable movie that I wouldn’t recommend unless you’re really bored.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of post-apocalyptic thrillers”
- “Viewers who enjoy creature features with a sci-fi twist”
- “Those interested in stories about survival against overwhelming odds”
- “Fans of Anthony Mackie and Morena Baccarin”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence and action sequences involving monstrous creatures”
- “Some language”
- “Brief emotional scenes involving loss and grief”
- “Sci-Fi horror elements”
Professional Reviews
- DreadCentral.com: “This Terrifying Monster Movie Splashes Onto Max, Tops the Charts
- A. Ramirez: “Elevation’ is a fairly entertaining movie about an invasion, but some things are not explained properly. For instance, where the creatures came from. It’s not a bad movie, it just seems like they could have put a few more details into it-like where they came from or why they couldn’t go above 8,000 feet.
- Horror Fanatic: “From the outset, Elevation is frustratingly stupid and manages to waste every bit of potential its premise might have offered. Picture creatures that stop dead in their tracks when they reach an invisible ‘magic line.’
Audience Reactions
The Colorado scenery was beautiful and added to the tense atmosphere.: Viewers enjoyed the visual aspects of the film, even if the plot was lacking.
The twist ending, while unexpected, left many with unanswered questions.: The concept of the creatures being machines was intriguing, but the execution and lack of explanation were disappointing.
Overall Consensus: Elevation has an interesting premise and some solid performances, but ultimately suffers from a weak plot, underdeveloped characters, and a lack of satisfying explanations.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film was shot on location in Boulder, Colorado, utilizing the natural mountainous terrain to emphasize the elevation-based safety zone.”
- “Producers used practical effects and minimal CGI to create the Reapers, aiming for a more realistic and terrifying presence.”
- “Anthony Mackie is listed as a producer for Elevation.”
🖥️ How to Watch Elevation?
Currently, “Elevation” can be streamed on Max. You can also rent or purchase it on platforms like Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, and Vudu. Check local listings for potential broadcast options.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Elevation, you might like these similar films:
- A Quiet Place (2018): Similar post-apocalyptic setting where survival depends on avoiding creatures with a specific weakness.
- The Last of Us (2023): Thematic similarities in a post-apocalyptic setting focusing on survival, a father-figure protecting a child, and deadly creatures.
- War of the Worlds (2005): Alien invasion wipes out most of humanity and the survivors must fight for survival.
- Arcadian (2024): Focuses on a father’s desperate fight to protect his children from terrifying creatures in a post-apocalyptic world.
🛒 Elevation Related Products
- Elevation Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the official Elevation movie poster, perfect for fans of Anthony Mackie and Morena Baccarin.
- The Quiet Place (4K UHD): If you enjoyed Elevation, experience a similar post-apocalyptic monster story with The Quiet Place. This 4K UHD edition delivers stunning visuals and immersive sound.
- Anthony Mackie Autographed Captain America Shield: A limited-edition Captain America shield signed by Anthony Mackie, a prized collectible for Marvel fans and admirers of his acting career.
- Post-Apocalyptic Survival Gear Kit: Be prepared for anything with this comprehensive survival kit. Includes essential tools, first-aid supplies, and emergency rations, inspired by the resourcefulness of the characters in Elevation.
🎧 Soundtrack
Elevation features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
The movie does not explicitly explain why the Reapers cannot go above 8,000 feet. This is simply a limitation of the creatures that humanity exploits for survival. It’s implied to be related to their internal mechanisms or environmental requirements.
The creatures, known as Reapers, are revealed to be not biological entities but advanced alien machines. They are highly destructive and have driven humanity to the brink of extinction.
Elevation was filmed in Boulder, Colorado, utilizing the natural mountainous landscapes to depict the post-apocalyptic setting.
At the end of the movie, the main characters find a way to kill the Reapers with cobalt-laced bullets. The post-credit scene teases the arrival of more machines from space.
🔥 Bonus Content
99.9% of the Population is Dead, the Survivors Struggle at 8,000 Feet—Below Them, Monsters Lurk
Want to know what ‘Elevation (2024)’ is all about without committing to the full movie? This recap gives you all the key plot points and character introductions. Honestly, the premise alone makes it worth a watch!
Elevation 2024 Movie Explained | Movie Review, Character Analysis & Film Insights in 5 Minutes
Ever wonder what the director was *really* trying to say with ‘Elevation (2024)’? This video breaks down the movie’s hidden meanings and character arcs in a way that’s super easy to understand. I found their insights on the ending particularly interesting!
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