The Domestics review — surviving by the skin of your teeth

The Domestics stars Kate Bosworth and Tyler Hoechlin as a married couple looking to save their failing relationship in a post-apocalyptic world.

Dystopian futures are scenarios that I myself would never want to be subjected to. Zombies, werewolves and maybe even vampires I could outfox for awhile. But mutants, cannibals, (and not the Fine Young ones either) and other killer factions are very different and you don’t really know what to expect or when. This film is definitely not a guide, but it is a helluva ride.

Mark and Nina West, played by Tyler Hoechlin and Kate Bosworth, are trying to save their marriage in this apocalyptic endeavor. Nina hasn’t heard from her parents in a while and wants to trek across Wisconsin to Milwaukee to check on them. And to appease her feelings, Mark will do whatever she wants. Although I personally don’t see how you survive an apocalypse with your spouse and then one day decide you don’t want them anymore. Well unless they tried to eat you then yeah, I get that.

The future in this broken world is not bright. Every day alive is a fight to survive another day to fight. Factions like the Nailers, Plowboys, Gamblers, Cherries, and Sheets are more than enough to keep you on your toes and drive you out of your mind trying to survive the day. During their trek, the Wests run into Nathan Wood, played by Lance Reddick, who invites them to dinner.

After a hearty meal, they are attacked by a Nailer looking to exact revenge on Mark. While making their escape, Nina is shot by some Gamblers. While she recovers, Mark looks for supplies and continues to get himself into some nasty situations, but handles himself brilliantly. Nina, on the other hand, goes through a dramatic transformation where it seems she finds her true self. Instead of being the Daphne Blake she once was, she blossoms into her own Ahsoka Tano which is refreshing.

Another wild run-in with the Gamblers ends with them escaping by…the skin of their teeth. This sets them up for a gun-blazing showdown with the help of a lone wolf Cherry. Unfortunately, Nina’s parents did not make it, but this whole trip and experience changed and saved their marriage.

The Domestics is definitely a film worth seeing and enjoying. But don’t take my word for it (you should though) see it for yourself and let me know what you think. Until next time kiddos, Auf Wiedersehen.