Await Further Instructions (2018) Review – A Mixed Bag of Sci-Fi Social Satire
Await Further Instructions: Quick Verdict
The Verdict: A high-concept science fiction horror that struggles to live up to the potential of its chilling premise. Await Further Instructions provides a fascinating allegory for media manipulation and blind compliance, yet it is frequently undermined by a weak script and unnatural dialogue. The decision to focus on soap-opera style family squabbles rather than the burgeoning mystery often drains the film of its initial tension. While the practical effects in the final act offer a unique and memorable tonal shift into cosmic horror, the path to get there is marred by illogical character decisions and inconsistent acting. It is a visually distinct and ambitious effort that will likely divide audiences with its bizarre conclusion. For viewers seeking something outside the traditional slasher mould, it is worth a look for its creativity alone. However, the lack of narrative polish makes it a frustratingly uneven experience. It remains an interesting, if flawed, social satire for the modern age.
Details: Director: Johnny Kevorkian | Cast: Sam Gittins, Neerja Naik, Grant Masters, David Bradley | Runtime: 1h 31m | Release Date: 2018
Best for: Fans of Black Mirror style social commentaries and those who enjoy “locked-in” psychological thrillers.
Worth noting: The film was shot in a single location in Greater Manchester, which helped heighten the feeling of claustrophobia for the cast and crew.
Where to Watch: Apple TV, Amazon🛒, VOD
Rating: 2.2/5 Stars
(An ambitious and unique festive sci-fi that trades narrative logic for social allegory and a striking, albeit polarising, cosmic-horror finale.)
Welcome to Knockout Horror. Today we are reviewing Await Further Instructions (2018).
Table of Contents
Science fiction Christmas horror
Directed by the late Johnny Kevorkian, this is a movie that seems somewhat more apt since the 2020 pandemic. A family are locked inside of their house over Christmas. Some type of metal-like structure covers every exit of the house. Phone lines are dead and the internet is down. The only line of communication the family have with the outside world is their CRT TV. The TV displays a simple, static message: “Await Further Instructions”.
“The horror and science fiction element is pushed to one side to focus on basic, soap-opera style family conflicts. It is very clear this family does not get along.”
Challenged to take control of the situation by his elderly father, Tony insists the family sit and await further guidance from the TV. This must be a terrorist attack or, perhaps, there is a virus in the air and the family have been quarantined for their own safety. To Tony, it makes perfect sense. As the hours pass by, the television begins to give them instructions. The only thing is, they seem to be more and more outlandish.
It goes without saying that this is a fascinating concept. Most of us have actually been through something very similar which makes it all the more apt. It’s not quite as fascinating as it seems, however. The horror and science fiction element is pushed to one side to focus on basic, soap-opera style family conflicts. The movie plays on the smorgasbord of characters present in the house and the abuse present in the family’s dynamics.
Tony has an, obviously, complicated relationship with his racist, ex military police, father. This has lead to Nick and his dad developing underlying issues. Annji, due to her race, is not warmly welcomed by some members of the family. Nick and Annji are left to fight there own corner as Tony takes control. The members of the family play as both antagonists and protagonists and provide the bulk of the film’s story.
Terribly written
This setup could be fine, unfortunately, it is let down by some poor writing. Gavin Williams has put together a particularly weak script that’s also rather illogical and boring, too. Dialogue feels unnatural and inorganic. This is especially apparent given the domestic nature of the setting. There is no flow to any of the conversations. These don’t feel like people who actually grew up together. Characters don’t feel as though they have well defined personalities, either. They switch and change their opinions seemingly at random; going from rebellion one minute to compliance the next without logical reasons.
“There is no flow to any of the conversations. These don’t feel like people who actually grew up together. Characters don’t feel as though they have well defined personalities, either.”
I really feel as though this movie would have benefited from a little retro scripting. Let the characters interact and improvise a bit. There is a sanitised, almost hyper-rehearsed, feeling to it. There is also a distinct lack of nuance when it comes to the characters. You can easily guess what will come out of their mouths next.
Certain scenes really stand out for this poor scripting. For example, when the family realises there are barriers over the windows, Tony declares that this is nonsense and asks if he is the only one with any sense around here. What is this statement supposed to mean? He can see there are barriers on the doors.
The family tell him they are on the windows as well. He pushes it, it doesn’t budge. What more is there to know? It’s dumb scripting and a weak attempt to try and establish a character’s archetype. This is a problem throughout. Acting doesn’t help thanks to it being pretty mediocre. Sam Gittins, as Nick, and Grant Masters, as Tony, stand out as being decent. Neerja Naik, as Annji, is inconsistent and Holly Weston is pretty bad, playing the role in an almost soap-opera manner.
A divisive ending
The ending of Await Further Instructions is quite unusual. Obviously the entire movie is an allegory for people’s obsession with media and willingness to comply for the sake of comfort. But the ending goes in a completely different direction. It takes a turn from being something of a domestic drama into a full on horror movie. Bathing everything in a green hue. The special effects team went to work creating something fairly unique. It’s like a mix of techno-horror and cosmic-horror and I thought it worked pretty well.
“The ending acts as a full stop on the end of the allegorical tale. Above all else, it features some interesting horror imagery reminiscent of a Japanese Manga series.”
It is immediately clear that this ending will divide viewers, though. Some people are going to seriously dislike the tonal shift. Others are going to ask questions about why the events happened. I can imagine there are plenty of horror fans that will find it horribly unsatisfying. It doesn’t exactly answer anything in a particularly satisfying way. People who, perhaps, miss the metaphorical nature of the story will be confused. On the other hand, some will love it.
The ending acts as something of a full stop on the end of the allegorical tale. A confirmation, if you will. Above all else, however, it features some interesting horror imagery. I found it to be reminiscent of something from a Japanese Manga series. I couldn’t help but think of Ghost in the Shell and other similar stories. The ending also manages to create a visual representation of the movie’s message. It is, most definitely, not going to be for everyone. Just like Await Further Instructions itself.
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
The Good
- Unique Premise: The idea of a family trapped by a mysterious structure and controlled by a television is legitimately captivating.
- Creative Ending: Fans of practical effects will appreciate the pivot into techno-horror imagery that concludes the film.
- Social Allegory: The movie offers a sharp and relevant commentary on the dangers of unquestioning obedience and media obsession.
The Bad
- Poor Scripting: Dialogue often feels inorganic and sanitised, preventing the family dynamics from feeling believable or authentic.
- Illogical Logic: Characters frequently make decisions that defy common sense, specifically regarding their reaction to the external barriers.
- Uneven Acting: While some cast members do well, others deliver performances that feel better suited for a midday soap-opera.
The Ugly: The “Decontamination” Scene. A sequence that perfectly illustrates the horrific lengths the characters will go to in order to comply with the TV’s demands.
Should You Watch Await Further Instructions?
Maybe. It is a 2.2 star film that is difficult to fully recommend due to its inconsistencies. If you are a fan of high-concept indie horror and can overlook clunky dialogue and occasional leaps in logic, you might find something to value in its message. However, for those seeking a tight, scary holiday horror, this likely won’t hit the mark. It is a creative but flawed technical experiment.
You might also like:
- The Frights Before Christmas: 25 Festive Horror Movies Ranked
- Bodies, Bodies, Bodies (2022) review – A Razor-Sharp Satire On The Terminally Online
- May (2002) Review – A Wickedly Funny and Tragic Cult Classic
- Terror on the Trail – 10 Backpacking Horror Movies Ranked
- Silent Night (2021) review – A tonally disjointed apocalypse where nobody is likable
Our Scoring Philosophy: A Fair Fight
Horror is a genre that thrives thanks to indie film makers and low budget creators. At Knockout Horror, we firmly believe that every movie that we review deserves a fair fight. That's why we grade on a curve. Our star ratings are all about context, judging a film on what it achieves with the resources it has.
A 4-star rating for a scrappy indie horror made for $10,000 is a testament to its ingenuity and raw power. A 4-star rating for a $100 million blockbuster means it delivered on its epic promises. We don't compare them side-by-side; we celebrate success in every weight class, from the back-alley brawler to the heavyweight champion. Please keep this in mind when considering star ratings.
Support the Site Knockout Horror is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Basically, if you click a link to rent or buy a movie, we may earn a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This helps keep the lights on and the nightmares coming. Don't worry, we will never recommend a movie purely to generate clicks. If it's bad, we will tell you.
Disclaimer: Images, posters, and video stills used in this review are the property of their respective copyright holders. They are included here for the purposes of commentary, criticism, and review under fair use. Knockout Horror makes no claim of ownership and encourages readers to support the official release of all films discussed.
