Amazon Prime viewers can’t get enough of thriller described as ‘The Last of Us meets Alien’

Amazon Prime Video’s most popular film in the UK by a mile has been described as a cross between The Last of Us and the Alien franchise (Picture: Vertical/Prime Video)

Amazon Prime Video viewers are still obsessed with a new action thriller that’s been dubbed ‘The Last Of Us meets A Quiet Place with a sprinkle of Alien’ by fans already clamouring for a sequel.

Several also praised the film as ‘an edge of your seat thrilling adventure’ thanks to its set-up, action and an unexpected plot twist towards the end.

Elevation was added to the streaming platform in early February, immediately storming to the top of the Prime Video charts to be the number one most-watched title in the UK.

More than two weeks later, it is still the most popular film in the country, despite fierce competition from the likes of steamy new Prime Original movie My Fault: London – at number two – and Jude Law and Nicholas Hoult’s underrated crime movie The Order.

The 2024 movie is led by Captain America: Brave New World star Anthony Mackie and also features Morena Baccarin and Maddie Hasson.

Set in a dystopian future, humanity now survives only in the high mountains above 8,000 feet to avoid the terrifying huge insect-like creatures that wiped out 95% of the population and lurk below ‘The Line’, where they can survive.

The Last of Us is a hugely popular post-apocalyptic TV series (Picture: HBO/Warner Media)

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According to the synopsis, a father (Mackie) must venture into monster territory to save his son, accompanied by a scientist (Baccarin) he despises and a young woman (Hasson) determined to keep them alive – long enough to save humanity.

The film, directed by George Nolfi – who also helmed 2011’s The Adjustment Bureau and co-wrote The Bourne Ultimatum – was released in cinemas in the US last year to a mixed critical reception but a solid fan reaction with audiences giving it a strong 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

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Several enjoyed how similar it was to other popular monster and post-apocalyptic movies, comparing it to A Quiet Place, The Last of Us, Alien and others.

‘It gave off modern 80s vibes, Red Dawn/Predator in a way, but fresh, too,’ enthused fan Scott, while David G assessed it as ‘pretty much A Quiet Place with lack of altitude replacing noise as the survivor’s Achilles heel’.

Elevation stars Anthony Mackie (R) and sees humans hiding in the mountains as they’re pitted against creatures who can’t survive above 8,000 feet (Picture: Vertical/Prime Video) The film’s creatures are giant and insect-like, putting in some viewers’ minds the Alien franchise (Picture: 20th Century Studios via AP)

He was one of many to also praise the film’s ‘Rocky Mountain vistas’, while Andreas B chimed in: ‘Awesome, early-90s sci-fi action thriller (the best kind)!’

‘I was on the edge of my seat through the movie. Absolutely didn’t expect the ending. Worth seeing!,’ shared Cody in another five-star fan review.

‘A must see exiting post-apocalyptic movie with beautiful scenery, great acting from Anthony Mackie, and an unexpected emotional ending. Waiting for the sequel,’ posted Maddie, who was among many others hoping for a follow-up to the film.

Viewers are also recommended to watch right until the end for a post-credit scene.

It’s just one of several highly rated films Amazon Prime Video has recently added as a title free for its subscribers, including some of Nicolas Cage’s best recent work with Longlegs and Dream Scenario.

Elevation boasts 80% on Rotten Tomatoes from fans – but a more mixed 56% from critics – and has been the top film on Prime in the UK for weeks (Picture: Vertical/Prime Video)

However, not everyone is a fan of Elevation, with Kristine J saying that it was ‘so incredibly dumb’ and another audience member calling it ‘plain awful’.

SciFiNow’s review observed: ‘Smartly and tightly edited to arrive as a well-paced 91-minute monster mash, although relatively formulaic, the promise of the premise and Mackie and Baccarin’s charm manages to keep hope alive.’

Boston Movie News’s James Verniere called it ‘a modest War of the Worlds knockoff’ while Brent McKnight wrote for The Last Thing I See: ‘If any movie has ever been just kind of fine, it’s Elevation. It gets right in, does its business, and wraps things up in less than 90 minutes.’

Elevation is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

This article was first published on February 9.

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