Thieves (2013)

thieves

Much as I enjoy a movie about the apocalypse, the one disadvantage that D. Erik Parks’ short film has it that it needs much more exposition behind it. I loved the notion of doing whatever one can to survive, but I was never sure what to make of the premise for “Thieves,” in the end.

Surely, it’s a very well made movie, as D. Erik Parks is able to make good use out of the limited scenery. Judging by the way the characters coast through abandoned areas, you could swear the world was desolate and barren. It’s just that the specifics of what occurred remain ambiguous to where the narrative feels somewhat incomplete. After a mysterious explosion destroys society, a few people struggle to survive and do whatever it takes to get by day by day. What’s never explained is what the explosion was, and why the water is not drinkable.

“Thieves” does focus in on the problem behind the apocalypse to where survival becomes essential above all else, thus attracting the most unkind and deadly people. “Thieves” manages to be a pretty good and somewhat interesting idea for a larger premise about the end of the world, but there’s a lot of extrapolation for the audience that needs to be injected. Especially the final scene that feels reminiscent of “The Road.” I was never sure what the final scene was supposed to imply but I would have loved to see more of this world to garner a better sense of clarity on the resolution. “Thieves” definitely has potential to be great, and I’d love to see more of this world, soon.