This Hidden 80s Sci-Fi Gem Is the Most Underrated ‘Last Man on Earth’ Story Ever Made

When you're making a sci-fi movie, a $1 million budget is practically pocket change.

And while even some big-budget projects have flopped, this one takes those limited resources and creates something extraordinary.

Neil deGrasse Tyson himself recognized the film's brilliance.

“Low budget, low distribution. One of many films that imagine for you what life might be like if you were the last person alive on Earth. In this case, the premise, the story, the casual science literacy of the main character, keeps the viewer in suspense the entire time, wondering what the hell happened and why,” he said in his documentary series on LA Times, Cosmos: A Space Time Odyssey (via New Zealand Herald).

What Is The Quiet Earth (1985) About?

The Quiet Earth follows Zac Hobson, a scientist who wakes up only to find out that he is the only man left on Earth. As our protagonist searches desperately for other survivors, he eventually discovers two others, but their presence brings more questions than answers, as usual.

The movie won't give you easy answers.We've seen a lot of sci-fi that over-explains things, but The Quiet Earth respects its viewers enough to leave room for thought and interpretation.

Despite being this good, we think that it is still not talked about enough by our mainstream media.

The Quiet Earth Is a Perfect Sci-Fi Slowburn

The movie dives deep into the psychological impact of complete isolation. You'll find yourself walking through empty streets, abandoned homes and deserted cities alongside Zac as he tries to piece together what happened to everyone else.

You'll feel immersed thanks to the pace of the movie. As Redditor donarumo pointed out:

“It is a slower paced sci-fi film that makes you think the whole way through. The ending specifically is something I'm still thinking about the next day and would certainly make a good talk topic if seeing the film with others.”

The pacing is indeed crucial to the film's success. And it's a nice change from sci-fi movies that often rely on action sequences and CGI spectacles to keep us engaged. The Quiet Earth doesn't need all of that. It dares to slow down and let us think.

So if you're tired of predictable sci-fi and hungry for something that will challenge your mind while touching your heart, The Quiet Earth deserves your attention. You can stream it right now for free on Plex, Hoopla, or Kanopy. Gather some friends and prepare for discussions that might last longer than the movie itself.