The Colony Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Global warming caused a new ice age, so some folks live underground until they find out the neighbors became hangry and bitey.

🍿 The Colony: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A World Frozen Over

In a near-future ravaged by a new ice age, humanity’s remnants huddle in underground colonies. Colony 7, led by Briggs (Laurence Fishburne), struggles with dwindling resources and the constant threat of disease. Strict quarantine protocols are enforced, but tensions simmer as some question the harsh methods.

Distress Signal and a Deadly Discovery

When Colony 5, a neighboring settlement, goes silent, Briggs, accompanied by Sam (Kevin Zegers) and Graydon (Atticus Mitchell), ventures out to investigate. They brave the frozen wasteland, encountering remnants of the old world, including a hauntingly deserted helicopter. Upon arriving at Colony 5, they discover a scene of carnage and a lone survivor, Leland, who speaks of savage, cannibalistic humans.

Escape and Sacrifice

The cannibalistic humans, or ‘ferals,’ quickly attack, leading to Graydon’s death. Briggs and Sam narrowly escape, realizing the grave danger they now face. Pursued relentlessly, they attempt to destroy a bridge to slow their pursuers. In a selfless act, Briggs sacrifices himself to ensure Sam’s escape and buy time for Colony 7.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Sam (Kevin Zegers): A loyal and resourceful member of Colony 7 who undertakes a dangerous mission and fights to protect his people.
• Briggs (Laurence Fishburne): The pragmatic and respected leader of Colony 7, committed to the survival of his community.
• Mason (Bill Paxton): A hardened and dissenting member of Colony 7 who challenges Briggs’ leadership and resorts to extreme measures.
• Kai (Charlotte Sullivan): A resourceful scientist and Sam’s girlfriend, crucial for discovering a potential haven and securing the colony’s future.
• Feral Leader (Dru Viergever): The menacing and savage leader of the cannibalistic group that threatens the survivors of Colony 7.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Viktor: “You know you’re screwed when even the rabbits won’t fuck.” – Viktor’s darkly humorous observation underscores the desperate and deteriorating conditions within the colony.
• Briggs: “We all have to make sacrifices.” – Briggs says this when discussing the difficult choices they have to make to ensure the colony’s survival, highlighting the heavy burden of leadership.
• Sam: “There has to be something better than this.” – Sam expresses his hope for a future, reflecting the underlying theme of searching for a better life despite the bleak circumstances.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $16,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $0
• Worldwide Gross: $557,865

💥 The Colony Reviews

Personal Review

I wanted to like this movie more than I did. The premise is interesting, with the survivors of a new ice age struggling to survive underground. Laurence Fishburne and Bill Paxton lend some gravitas to the film, but the plot devolves into a fairly standard humans vs. cannibals story. The ending felt rushed, and left me wanting more, but not in a good way. It felt like they ran out of budget or ideas.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of post-apocalyptic thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in survival stories”
  • “Those who enjoy movies with Laurence Fishburne or Bill Paxton”
  • “Sci-fi and horror movie enthusiasts”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Gore”
  • “Cannibalism”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Intense scenes”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “While the actors do what they can to salvage things, the story unfolds in a predictable, ho-hum fashion. The sets are adequate, the cinematography competent, and the end result is an experience that is ultimately forgettable.
• IMDb: “The Colony had all the makings of a good film but has numerous plot holes, and the science used throughout the movie is questionable. The story quickly turns into an action adventure horror that you’ve seen before where the colony has degenerated in to barbaric cannibalism.

Audience Reactions

The set design and practical effects were surprisingly good for a low-budget movie.: Most agreed the first half of the movie held promise, but the second half fell flat.

Overall Consensus: The Colony had a good premise and decent actors, but suffers from a predictable plot and rushed ending.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The Colony was the first movie to be shot at the decommissioned NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) base in North Bay, Ontario, Canada.”
• “The filmmakers aimed for a realistic portrayal of life in an underground colony, focusing on practical aspects like hydroponics and resource management to enhance believability.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Colony?

As of October 2024, “The Colony” is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on streaming services.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Colony, you might like these similar films:

• The Thing (1982): Shares the isolated setting, the theme of survival against a savage, unknown threat, and the sense of paranoia and claustrophobia.
• 30 Days of Night (2007): Features a group of people struggling to survive against a pack of ruthless predators in an isolated, cold environment.
• The Road (2009): Depicts a bleak post-apocalyptic world and the struggle for survival, focusing on the desperation and moral compromises people make.
• Snowpiercer (2013): A post-apocalyptic world and the struggle for survival, focusing on the desperation

🛒 The Colony Related Products

• Survival Seed Vault – Heirloom Emergency Survival Seeds – Plant a Full Acre Garden – 200+ Varieties of Vegetable, Fruit, Herb & Grain Seeds: Following in the steps of the movie protagonists, you can have your own vault of garden seeds to ensure survival in the face of potential disasters.
• Survivor Filter Pro – Mode Water Filter for Camping & Emergency – 0.01 Micron Tested by Lab in USA Removes Bacteria, Virus, Parasites: Provides a way for those who need water, to purify water to avoid getting sick while camping, during emergencies, and more.
• Survival Garden Seeds Herbal Tea Garden Seed Vault – 10 Varieties of Healing Tea Herbs – for Indoors and Outdoors: Plant a variety of herbs to create healthy teas that can treat various conditions, when traditional medicine is unavailable.
• Emergency Food Supply, Readywise 124 Serving Bucket: Provides a variety of meals that are easy to prepare for any emergency food situation.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “The Mirror Blues” – performed by Duane Andrews and The Sinjawn Vipers

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Colony Official International Trailer #1 (2013) – Laurence Fishburne Movie HD

Want to see what ‘The Colony’ is all about? Check out this trailer for a quick peek at the post-apocalyptic action and Laurence Fishburne’s cool character. Personally, I thought the visuals looked pretty intense!

✨ Rate