Preservation Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Three people go camping, get their stuff stolen by some text-obsessed teens, and then it’s a whole lot of running and bad decisions until the pregnant lady wins because nature is a feminist.

🍿 Preservation: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Setting the Stage: A Hunting Trip Gone Wrong

The movie opens with Wit, an anesthesiologist, and her husband Mike embarking on a hunting trip to a remote, closed nature preserve. Adding a layer of tension, Mike’s brother Sean, a recently discharged Marine with a troubled past, joins them. The trip is intended as a means to escape the couple’s marital issues and Sean’s own personal demons, setting the scene for a potentially healing experience in the wilderness. However, their escape quickly turns into a nightmare. After a night of uneasy campfire conversations and brewing tensions, the trio awakens to find their tent and belongings stolen. Adding to the unsettling atmosphere, they discover X’s painted on their foreheads, signaling that they are no longer the hunters, but the hunted.

Hunted in the Woods: Survival Becomes the Only Goal

Stranded and disoriented, Wit, Mike, and Sean must navigate the unfamiliar terrain with limited resources. As they attempt to find their way back to civilization, they realize they are being stalked by unseen assailants. The brothers’ contrasting personalities and hidden resentments begin to surface, further complicating their already dire situation. As the hunters close in, the group encounters increasingly disturbing signs, including their hunting dog gutted and hung from a tree. This horrifying discovery solidifies the reality of their situation and forces them to confront the ruthless nature of their pursuers. The tension escalates as they struggle to survive, making difficult decisions and battling both external threats and internal conflicts.

Confrontation and Desperation

The trio faces brutal confrontations with their tormentors, revealing their assailants to be a group of teenagers desensitized to violence by video games and modern media. The teenagers, clad in masks and communicating via text messages even when in close proximity, hunt the trio for sport, turning the preserve into a deadly playground. One by one, the men fall victim to the teenagers’ sadistic game. Sean, despite his military training, succumbs to a fatal attack after a tactical error. Mike, attempting to protect his wife, also meets a gruesome end. Wit, now alone and pregnant, must summon her inner strength and resourcefulness to survive the relentless hunt.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Wit Neary (Wrenn Schmidt): An anesthesiologist and wife who must tap into her survival instincts when she, her husband, and brother-in-law are hunted.
• Sean Neary (Pablo Schreiber): A troubled war veteran and Wit’s brother-in-law, haunted by his violent past and struggling to adapt to civilian life.
• Mike Neary (Aaron Staton): Wit’s husband and Sean’s brother, whose strained marriage and work distractions make him vulnerable in the wilderness.
• Jack (Cody Saintgnue): One of the masked hunters, embodying the desensitized violence of the digital age.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Wit Neary: “Man’s the only animal that kills for fun.” – Wit states this while discussing the morality of hunting, foreshadowing the film’s themes.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Preservation Reviews

Personal Review

I had mixed feelings about Preservation. On the one hand, the premise was intriguing. I found myself yelling at the screen when they made obvious mistakes. I did like the fact that the female lead became empowered by the end, but the whole thing felt rushed. It’s not the worst movie I’ve seen, but definitely not one I’d recommend to everyone.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of survival horror movies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy psychological thrillers”
  • “Those interested in films with strong female leads”
  • “Viewers who enjoy movies set in remote wilderness locations”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Animal death”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Some disturbing images”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “”Preservation” offers a decent horror experience, blending familiar elements into a watchable romp in the woods. While not entirely original or gory, it entertains with tense scenes and realistic characters. I found myself rooting for them, despite their flaws.
• IMDb: “What starts as an intriguing character study quickly devolves into a predictable and illogical mess. The characters make baffling decisions, and the plot holes are abundant. The ending feels unearned, making it a frustrating watch. Despite decent acting and cinematography, Preservation fails to deliver a coherent or satisfying thriller.
• IMDb: “I found the film well-written, well-paced, and well-acted. Ignore the IMDb haters. The premise may not be entirely original, but I was entertained throughout. A 7 out of 10, boosted up to compensate for all of the unfair reviews – IMO.

Audience Reactions

The twist of the killers being teenagers obsessed with technology was surprisingly effective.: Some viewers appreciated the unique take on the slasher genre and the commentary on desensitization to violence.

Despite the nonsensical actions of the protagonists, they made it worth my time: Viewers highlighted the fact that, despite everything, it was interesting enough to keep watching.

Overall Consensus: Opinions are divided, with some praising the film’s tense atmosphere and unique elements, while others criticize the implausible plot and unlikable characters. Overall, it’s a divisive film with flaws, making it a polarizing watch.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The game that one of the characters plays on a cell phone is called “Dead Trigger”, a popular first person shooter that features zombies as enemies.”
• “Filming took place in Santa Clarita, California.”

🖥️ How to Watch Preservation?

As of October 2024, ‘Preservation’ is available for streaming on platforms such as Tubi with ads. Unfortunately, it is not currently available on major subscription services like Prime Video, Netflix, or Hulu. For those interested in purchasing or renting, check online vendors like Apple TV, Google Play Movies, or Vudu.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Preservation, you might like these similar films:

• Eden Lake (2008): Features a couple terrorized by a group of malicious youths in a remote location, creating a similar sense of dread and helplessness.
• The Most Dangerous Game (1932): Explores the concept of humans hunting humans for sport, which is the core premise of ‘Preservation’.
• You’re Next (2011): A family is targeted by masked killers with unknown motives, featuring a strong female protagonist who fights back.

🛒 Preservation Related Products

• Survival Gear Kit 13 in 1, Emergency Survival Kit: A high-quality survival kit is a must-have for any outdoor adventure. Great for camping or hiking, This includes a fire starter, flashlight, knife, compass, whistle, multi-tool card, and more.
• Gerber Hatchet Camping Axe: Camp Axe for chopping or splitting small logs or kindling at camp, great for backpacking, camping gear, and bug out bags. Forged steel head with hardened edge
• Bear Grylls Survival Skills Handbook: Bear Grylls is synonymous with adventure and survival. In this invaluable guide, he shares his expertise and tips for navigating the wilderness, essential for those who want to test their limits.

🎧 Soundtrack

Preservation features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Farandole” – performed by The Gentleman Losers

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Preservation (2014) Story Explained | Hindi | Movie Like Eden Lake !!

Ever wondered what ‘Preservation’ was really about? This Hindi explanation breaks down the whole story, comparing it to ‘Eden Lake’. Honestly, it cleared up some stuff for me, you should totally check it out!

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