Hulu’s Rare Alien Movie With Almost No Dialogue Is Sci-Fi at Its Best

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If you think all alien invasion movies are the same, something strange might be going on with you—or you simply haven’t seen enough of them! Some of the best examples in this type of movie are surprisingly underappreciated, like the film No One Will Save You.

Brian Duffield’s second film, No One Will Save You, features Kaitlyn Dever as a woman living alone when aliens invade her home. While the 2023 Hulu thriller initially gained attention for its unique approach to the alien invasion story and its effective scares, it hasn’t gotten much discussion since. It’s time to rediscover this hidden gem.

No One Will Save You Is A Truly Sensational Sci-Fi Epic

While No One Will Save You didn’t become a massive cultural phenomenon as some might have hoped, it truly stands out for its intense and immersive experience. The film relies heavily on powerful visuals and sound, creating a visceral impact without needing much dialogue.

I was completely captivated by this film! What struck me most was how it tells the story of an alien invasion entirely through Kaitlyn Dever’s character, Brynn. It’s almost entirely silent – there’s very little dialogue, just a few small bits of explanation and one incredibly powerful five-word line at the very end, which I won’t spoil! It actually took me a while to notice the lack of talking, because the beginning is so engrossing. We’re introduced to Brynn and her complicated life in a small town, and it’s compelling enough without a single word being spoken.

The quiet moments in the film are particularly striking when Brynn interacts with the alien beings, including one nicknamed ‘Daddy Long Legs’ due to its unusually long limbs – making it a truly memorable creature. After this encounter, the movie maintains a relentless sense of dread, skipping the usual scenes of someone trying to prove their unbelievable story. The suspense builds continuously, with no letup between frightening moments.

With No One Will Save You, director Brian Duffield seems to be revisiting the style of his earlier, intense film, Spontaneous, aiming to blend science fiction and horror with the feel of classic silent movies, but using today’s filmmaking techniques. Like John Krasinski did with A Quiet Place, Duffield demonstrates how powerfully sound – and silence – can create a truly terrifying and memorable experience.

Kaitlyn Dever Has Never Been Better In No One Will Save You

Despite its unusual design and careful production, the film No One Will Save You needed a strong lead actor to succeed, as it largely focuses on one person. Luckily, Kaitlyn Dever was perfectly cast. She first gained recognition on the sitcom Last Man Standing, and has since proven her talent in a variety of roles, handling both dramatic parts like in the 2018 film Beautiful Boy and comedic roles in Olivia Wilde’s Booksmart.

Dever is best known for her television roles, notably receiving Golden Globe nominations for the Netflix miniseries Unbelievable and Hulu’s Dopesick. Dopesick also earned her a first Emmy nomination, followed by a second for a later performance.

Despite her impressive work, many consider Kaitlyn Dever’s best role to date to be in No One Will Save You. Her performance as Brynn, which earned her a Critics’ Choice Award nomination, is a masterclass that up-and-coming actors could really learn from.

Dever brilliantly carries the entire thriller, conveying everything we need to understand about her character and inner turmoil through her expressions alone. It’s remarkable – and often overlooked – how powerfully an actor can tell a complete story without uttering a single word.

No One Will Save You Ends On A Chilling, Bittersweet Note

Although critics generally liked No One Will Save You (giving it an 83% rating on Rotten Tomatoes), viewers weren’t as enthusiastic (with a 56% audience score). Some found the ending confusing, but fans of the film see it as a meaningful conclusion that makes it stand out as one of the best in its genre.

The story suggests humanity hasn’t been destroyed, but subtly taken over – similar to the movie Invasion of the Body Snatchers, but through possession rather than duplicates. Brynn is the only one who escapes this fate, managing to remove the creature controlling her. She’s then embraced into this new world, where people live without judgment, and even celebrates with a joyful party and dancing with her community.

Before the alien invasion, Brynn was known as an outcast in her town, haunted by the accidental death of her friend, Maude, a decade prior. This tragic event is subtly referenced in a disturbing vision caused by the alien parasites, where Brynn repeatedly apologizes to an image of a grown-up Maude. The aliens later confirm the full story by reading her memories.

This movie stands out because it’s one of the rare alien invasion stories where the invasion actually works, and is shown as a good thing. It seems to suggest that sometimes society is the one that needs to adapt and accept those who are different, rather than demanding they change to fit in – a refreshing twist on the usual story where someone tries desperately to be forgiven but fails. The aliens who are understanding and compassionate see that she’s truly sorry and allow her to finally have the peaceful life she’s always wanted.

However, if you look closely at Brynn’s knowing glance to the camera at the very end, her seemingly happy conclusion might be deceiving. Despite her bright smile, there’s a hint of discomfort, implying she feels trapped by these newcomers and must pretend to be friendly to avoid a worse outcome.

That’s just one way to look at how the movie ends, but thankfully Brian Duffield made No One Will Save You more engaging than most alien invasion films by letting viewers decide for themselves. Considering that, and how uniquely the film is made, it’s easily one of the .

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2026-02-05 03:08