Assimilate is a 2019 American science fiction horror film directed by John Murlowski (Zombie Hamlet; Freeway Killer; Amityville: A New Generation; Return of the Family Man) from a screenplay co-written with Steven Palmer Peterson (Hunt for the Labyrinth Killer).
The movie stars Joel Courtney, Calum Worthy, Andi Matichak and Katherine McNamara.
Plot:
Best friends Zach (Joel Courtney), Randy (Calum Worthy), and Kayla (Andi Matichak) discover that their neighbours are being killed and replaced by perfect copies of their victims. Their only chance to survive is to covertly record the invasion in a desperate attempt to warn the world…
Reviews:
“The technical work is excellent and maybe its biggest problem is using a story we have already seen in a superior movie. Even so, it has its good moments and is an entertaining horror movie.” The 10th Circle
“It borrows several ideas from few other ‘alien invasion’ films, but this surprisingly fun sci-fi horror flick utilizes those in its own creative way, putting a fresh spin on a familiar scenario, with the result being an entertaining, often freaky teen chiller with an extraterrestrial twist on the ‘cloning’ subject that works well…” CineMarvellous!
“You probably won’t watch it more than once. But Assimilate outplays 75% of Syfy’s regular programming. Set expectations to a similar frequency and you’ll find that the film is a fine contemporary remake of Body Snatchers that’s highly accessible for young adult audiences.” Culture Crypt
“This sci-fi story is not about the effects. Instead, it’s about the horror of losing both yourself and everyone you love. It’s the good old “copy-paste” story that you may have seen a few times before. Still, with Assimilate it works so well that you really don’t mind seeing it again. Don’t miss out on this little indie gem…” Heaven of Horror
” …the script isn’t particularly full of surprises but it does the job. At times going a bit too ‘Hollywood blockbuster’ with its cheesiness involving the ‘heroes’ of the film (also including a really forced ‘epic’ score), while the twist ending doesn’t have the impact that I’m sure the writer was going for. That said, I did like that conclusion to Assimilate.” Nerdly
“Being a tribute to some very well known horrible movies has both good and bad aspects, the biggest of the latter being that it is largely predictable […] It’s ok, just be prepared to see precisely nothing original if you do seek it out.” Sorry, Never Heard of It
“The film exploits paranoia and agoraphobia. It’s not subtle about it. The lack of subtlety is flagrant on every level. On the other hand, it’s infinitely better than most zombie flicks of the decade, and it’s certainly scarier. It doesn’t systematically resort to post-apocalyptic tropes, but the future certainly doesn’t look bright for our heroes.” Tales of Terror
Cast and characters:
Joel Courtney … Zach Henderson – The Messengers TV series; Mercy; Super 8; R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour TV series
Calum Worthy … Randy Foster – Corporate Animals; The Thinning: New World Order; The Blackburn Asylum; Mostly Ghostly: Have You Met My Ghoulfriend?; R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour TV series; Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed
Andi Matichak … Kayla Shepard – Halloween (2018)
Katherine McNamara … Hannah – Shadowhunters TV series; Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials; R.L. Stine’s Monsterville: Cabinet of Souls; R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour TV series; Girl vs. Monster
Cam Gigandet … Josh Haywood – Priest; Pandorum; The Unborn; Twilight
Mason McNulty … Joey Shepard
Terry Dale Parks … Pastor Greg – Cherokee Creek; Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials; Constantine TV series
Vito Viscuso … Larry Shepard
Jennifer Pierce Mathus … Beth Shepard – Door in the Woods; Dark Places
Kevin Remington … Mr Henderson
Tonetta Weaver … Mrs Henderson
Amye Gousset … Mrs Bissette
Kyler Porche … Dylan
Megan Fay … Ashley
Byron Hughes … Sheriff
Production companies:
Boy Meets Girl Productions
Sprockefeller Pictures
Maple Island Films
WeatherVane Productions
Working title:
Replicate
