Fantasia International Film Festival 2025 audiences were treated to the world premiere of the post-apocalyptic thriller, The Well. Written by Michael Capellupo (Twelve, The Chair) and Kathleen Hepburn (Honey Bee, The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open) with Oscar-nominated documentarian Hubert Davis (Black Ice, Giants of Africa) making his narrative feature debut, the film takes a bleak look at a not-so-distant future. An environmental disaster leaves the population fighting for what clean water is left. One family has managed to survive on their own, until an unexpected visitor shakes their foundation.

With the state of the world right now, eco-thrillers feel more real every day. The Well shows audiences a world in which most of the water has been contaminated. Those who drink it become sick before eventually dying. This is a horrifying concept as water is essential to the survival of human beings, as well as most other life on Earth. There are some “blue zones” run by governmental agencies to keep people safe and provide them with resources, but many people either die or try to survive on their own. The film shows one family of three able to survive in their rural home because of a well and filtration system that provides them with clean water. When an injured young man arrives, it puts the family on high alert and exposes them to the outside world they thought they had left behind. For the most part, the film takes a very realistic approach to the story. The events feel entirely plausible, even as it shows the darker, more bleak side of humanity. It leads to some suspenseful moments as well as a few surprisingly tender scenes. With such a grounded, intimate approach, focusing on one family and the few others they encounter, it allows for a compelling story of human nature without needing to see everything on a larger scale.

What makes The Well an interesting film is how it doesn’t necessarily have a true villain. Instead, it shows how everyone is just doing their best to survive, even in a time when outsiders can’t be trusted. That being said, there is an antagonist in the film. While this character certainly has moments that verge on being evil, the film almost seems to hold the character back. It’s clear other characters fear and respect this person, but the audience doesn’t get a firm sense of why that is or what the individual is really capable of. It unfortunately takes some of the tension out of the film. At a time when family-focused post-apocalyptic films are becoming more common, shying away from showing that darkness and desperation might make this well made film a somewhat forgettable entry into the eco-horror subgenre.

There are some fantastic performances throughout The Well. Shailyn Pierre-Dixon (The Book of Negroes, Suicide Squad) stars as Sarah. She has spent the apocalypse in relative comfort in her family home, although not without loss and hardship. Pierre-Dixon adds a sense of innocence and heart to the film, not yet familiar with how cruel and evil people can be and wanting to help others, despite her parents’ warnings. Idrissa Sanogo (The Boys, The Expanse) plays Jamie, the young man who finds the family home. Sanogo’s performance offers a nice counter-balance to Pierre-Dixon’s. Jamie has been out in the world since the collapse, seeing more of the bad in the world, making him less trusting and more guarded. Audiences will also see standout performances from Sheila McCarthy (Women Talking), Natasha Mumba (The Handmaid’s Tale), and Joanne Boland (Land of the Dead).

With how realistic this film is, most of the visuals are fairly understated. The Well has beautiful woodland backdrops with some more rundown, abandoned industrial areas as well. The family home is quaint, but well maintained, while other camps shown range from simple piles of junk to more established trailers and outbuildings to house survivors. Most of the costume design is great, showing the clothes as well-worn, not always fitting the person, and a bit dirty. There is even a bit of practical makeup used to create the dark marks of the waterborne illness. The Well features a strings-heavy score that speaks to the rural setting and adds to the suspense.

The Well delivers an intimate character study in a post-apocalyptic world, but it lacks a true adversary to raise the stakes and create tension. It’s a great dive into fiction for director Davis. With just a bit of alteration to the plot, it could have gone from good to great, creating a more memorable viewing experience for audiences. That being said, the performances are well done and add a lot of heart to the story. Not to mention, the ecological crisis shown in the film comes across as a cautionary tale, warning viewers to take care of the environment as well as those they love.

OVERALL RATING: 6.5/10