Chris Pine’s apocalyptic pandemic drama lands in Paramount+’s top 10

Even though it’s spooky season, a spooky doomsday story in the form of can still scare you for other reasons carrierthe pandemic thriller with Chris Pinefrom 2009, now streaming on Paramount+. Filmed in 2006, the film was finally released in limited release in September 2009 to capitalize on Pine’s newfound fame following his breakout role as Captain James Tiberius Kirk in JJ Abrams’Star Trek reboot, which was released the same year.

Led by Alex and David Pastor, carrier is set in a world ravaged by a highly contagious, deadly virus that has reduced humanity to mere pockets of terrified survivors. The story is about four friends – played by Pine, Lou Taylor Pucci, Piper PeraboAnd Emily Van Camp– as they embark on a road trip through the desolate American Southwest, hoping to find safety and survive the chaos.

carrier revolves around the ongoing battle between two brothers. Danny (Pucci) hasn’t experienced enough of the apocalypse to fully understand the tough decisions it requires. He still holds on to the hope of saving everyone and bears little guilt for difficult actions, as he was about to start college when the world collapsed. On the other hand, Brian (Chris Pine) is the guy who will do whatever it takes to keep his group moving forward. He dug countless graves for the dead and even killed his parents before the virus struck them. In carrierCompassion is seen as weakness, while those who show no remorse or empathy are the ones who survive. In this world, coldness and callousness are seen as a practical approach to survival, blurring the line between maintaining decency and doing what is necessary to stay alive.

How were “Carriers” viewed in retrospect?

ScreenRant looked back at the film in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. They praised Pine’s performance, noting that he was ahead of his time.

In the film, there is a constant conflict between doing the right thing and the “kill or be killed” attitude. Chris Pine delivers one of his best performances with a seemingly murderous demeanor that is completely thrown out the window in the final half hour of the film. Brian’s character encompasses those who feel blessed with immunity to the virus, but then end up contracting the virus anyway due to carelessness.
carrier
imagines the future and what could have happened through dialogue and what was planned before the virus.

carrier

is not a perfect film, but its impact is so firmly rooted in modern times that it deserves to be seen again, or seen for the first time, as long as everything feels fresh.

Stay tuned to Collider to learn more. carrier is now streaming on Paramount+.

Watch on Paramount+