The psychological thriller film, written, directed and produced by Sam Esmail (known for Mr. Robot), is based on Rumaan Alam’s 2020 novel, though the screenplay includes some changes. What initially caught my attention was former President Obama's interest in the movie—apparently he’s a big fan of the book, and as an ex-president, he likely had insight into the military aspects. For those unsure what to expect, it feels like a blend of M. Night Shyamalan and Jordan Peele, with Esmail’s own distinctive style evident, particularly regarding the social and technological chaos seen in Mr. Robot. That element really drove the initial part of the story for me. The movie centers on an upper-middle class white family vacationing at a high-end Airbnb upstate in New York when unusual events begin to unfold. These include an oil tanker losing control and crashing into a beach (I wonder, no GPS?), internet outages (could it be cyberattacks or perhaps a coup d'etat by unknown forces?), and strange animal behavior, like deer and birds. This part felt very much like Shyamalan’s work, likely due to some kind of disruptive force that I initially suspected was a solar flare—until the plot clarified that these events were isolated to the United States. Then comes what feels like Jordan Peele's influence: a black father and daughter arrive at the house, claiming ownership and seeking refuge from the unfolding chaos. Racial tension is definitely present. Each character has their own psychological details and backstory, which I thought was a well-executed element of the film, as was the acting itself. I suppose my main issue is that I watch too much; it's difficult to be genuinely impressed by something new, especially when you’re familiar with the directors and writers involved. Despite these plot points, the movie presents some compelling paranoid ideas—ideas that aren't entirely far-fetched because they could conceivably play out as depicted, like Obama being advised about such situations. It also features a great soundtrack by Mac Quayle (Mr. Robot, American Horror Story) and interesting cinematography with unique camera shots by Tod Campbell (Stranger Things, Mr. Robot, Boyhood). Overall, it's not a bad movie—on the contrary, it’s engaging if you go in without knowing what to expect. It isn’t exceptional, but for me, it ranks among the better films of 2023 and earned a place in my favorites. My score: 7.5 out of 10 / B+.

Source on TMDB