The Quiet Earth

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The Quiet Earth

R

1985

1h 30m

Sci-Fi

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Popcornmeter

75%

Tomatometer

16 Reviews

68%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

When everyone around him vanishes overnight, scientist Zac Hobson (Bruno Lawrence) finds himself seemingly the only person on the planet. The isolation initially drives him to the brink of suicide, but eventually Zac adapts to a day-to-day routine. After meeting two other survivors, Joanne (Alison Routledge) and Api (Peter Smith), a Maori, the trio roams New Zealand trying to understand what caused everyone else to disappear, why they remained behind -- and whether disaster will strike again.

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Geoff Brown

The Times (UK)

Apr 14, 2020

The story's nuts and bolts, for instance, need drastic tightening.

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Anton Bitel

Little White Lies

Jun 26, 2018

The awe-inspiring final image in the film (of another daybreak, echoing the film's opening) is similarly slippery, catching Zac on a liminal, limbic shoreline between multiverse cosmology and hard eschatology.

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Tom Keogh

Seattle Times

Sep 29, 2016

3.5/4

[A] strange, vivid movie.

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Alan Boon

Starburst

Nov 26, 2018

9/10

Lawrence is compelling, and as a balding, middle-aged man is a refreshing lead for a movie that, if made in Hollywood now, would star Will Smith, Tom Cruise, or whoever the hot, young, brooding leading man of the hour happens to be.

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Rob Aldam

Backseat Mafia

Oct 31, 2018

Murphy ensures that the film is laced with a very singular brand of Kiwi humour.

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Charles Mudede

The Stranger (Seattle, WA)

Aug 22, 2018

One could never repeat an effort like The Quiet Earth; it stands alone in a universe that seems to be itself completely an original.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 16, 2026

The Quiet Earth = a 3.5 star Movie

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Vincent S

@BSME82 Aug 10, 2026

Quiet Earth is a master piece. Brune Lawrence did an excellent acting job carrying the first 1/3 of the movie. The movie does have a slow pace but that is intentional to draw the audience in to the end of the world. The main thing about this movie is the human condition and how humans react to situations well beyond their control. The ending is fantastic with Saturn rising. A totally awesome ending. Wish there was a second movie that picked up from the ending.

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Kyle M

@RT77296778 Jun 24, 2026

A more existential, speculatively thought-provoking, unnoticed sci-fi that circumstantially engages and embraces humane complexity in all its faults, a visual experiment that varies conclusively. (B+)

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Sam S

@RT58514960 Jun 10, 2026

The film doesnt answer questions the plot requires that it logically should, yet sheds light on what the viewer feels they already know. And its brilliantly intentional. A "well fleshed out sci fi" leaves no room for each individual viewers imagination, the film makers hold a viewers hand and do it for them. This flick picks and chooses between the two brilliantly. Sci fi should be two things, profound and bizarre. Because that is what life is. And behind a brilliant lead and an ending moment of awe, it delivers.

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Dwayne F.

@RT95447782 May 25, 2026

A well put together movie with a great story and a strong cast. It was a pleasant surprise when I picked it up as a video rental all those years ago.

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A J

@RT09090618 Nov 22, 2025

I saw it as a kid. Loved it. Need to rewatch.

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Geoff Murphy

Director

Bruno Lawrence

Zac Hobson

Alison Routledge

Joanne

Pete Smith

Api

Zac Wallace

Api's Mate

Norman Fletcher

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Synopsis

When everyone around him vanishes overnight, scientist Zac Hobson (Bruno Lawrence) finds himself seemingly the only person on the planet. The isolation initially drives him to the brink of suicide, but eventually Zac adapts to a day-to-day routine. After meeting two other survivors, Joanne (Alison Routledge) and Api (Peter Smith), a Maori, the trio roams New Zealand trying to understand what caused everyone else to disappear, why they remained behind -- and whether disaster will strike again.

Director: Geoff Murphy
Producer: Sam Pillsbury, Don Reynolds
Production Co: Mr. Yellowbeard Productions Limited & Company, Cinepro, Pilsbury Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 7, 2017
Runtime: 1h 30m
Sound Mix: Surround

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