ReelBob: ‘Eradication’ ★★½

By Bob Bloom

“Eradication” is another of those post-apocalyptic movies in which an unknown virus has wiped out most of humanity and society has collapsed.

The film, shot in the scenic Adirondack Mountains, centers on David (Henry Aspinwall, who cowrote the movie with director Daniel Byers). David, an asymptomatic carrier of the disease, has lived in isolation for two years. His only contact is with his wife, Sam (Anita Abdinezhad), a scientist studying his blood in search of a cure.

David’s life is one of routine and tedium. He is told never to venture outside after dark. He must deliver blood samples every day to a specific site where he finds food cans.

He also seems to be constantly under surveillance by drones.

The monotony of his life causes him to hallucinate at times. He has several timers that dictate when he performs his daily functions, including communicating with Sam via computer. (One aspect that is never explained is how his computer continues to work when electricity is no longer available.)

Like many movies in this growing genre, the cause of the outbreak is never explained. But we have seen the symptoms before; Those infected turn zombie-like, crave blood and attack uninfected people.

After a while, David — having not heard from Sam for a while — breaks protocol and ventures outside.

What he finds upends his tightly-controlled world.

Much of “Eradication” is left unexplained. Who are the people — and what government agency do they work for — controlling the drones? Why does David seem to be the only asymptomatic individual?

Answers for these questions are not forthcoming, while dilutes the movie’s impact.

Byers does create tension and builds suspense, but “Eradication” needed to be fleshed out a little more. We are left with too many questions to ponder and no real satisfactory conclusion.

“Eradication” is no better nor worse than any of the other pandemic-related features shot and released since COVID-19 changed our lives.

At 87 minutes, it at least holds your attention.

I am a founding member of the Indiana Film Journalists Association. I review movies, 4K UHD, Blu-rays and DVDs for ReelBob (ReelBob.com), The Film Yap and other print and online publications. I can be reached by email at bobbloomjc@gmail.com. You also can follow me on Twitter @ReelBobBloom and on Facebook at ReelBob.com or the Indiana Film Journalists Association. My movie reviews also can be found at Rotten Tomatoes: www.rottentomatoes.com.E

RADICATION
2½ stars out of 4
Not rated, bloody images, violence, partial nudity