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Horror thriller

A Desert (2025): Cast & Ratings

A Desert (2025) movie poster

A Desert is a 2025 horror thriller directed by Joshua Erkman, starring Sarah Lind as Sam Clark, David Yow and S.A. Griffin. It runs 1 hour 43 minutes. Critics gave it 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and 64 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.5/10.

IMDb rating
5.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
83%
Echo Score
73
Metascore
64
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A Desert (2025) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 43m (103 min)
Director
Joshua Erkman
Genres
Horror , Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is A Desert About?

The premise of A Desert without spoilers.

A photographer seeking to revive his career embarks on a road trip through the American Southwest. His journey unexpectedly leads him and his wife into a dangerous and unsettling world, further complicated by the involvement of a private detective. The film explores themes of time, chaos, and the power of images against a backdrop of neo-noir horror.

A Desert Themes & Keywords

· 14 tags
  • photographer
  • ghost town
  • american southwest
  • private detective
  • abandoned drive in movie theatre
  • bound and gagged
  • road trip
  • tied to a chair
  • woman bound and gagged
  • husband wife relationship
  • psychopath
  • drive in theater
+2 more
  • cemetery
  • motel
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Cast & crew

A Desert Cast & Characters

Sarah Lind leads the cast as Sam Clark, with David Yow as Harold Palladino and S.A. Griffin as Detective Simon. Directed by Joshua Erkman; 12 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in A Desert

· 8 more
From the director

More from Joshua Erkman

More films directed by Joshua Erkman: Diddie Wa Diddie, The Sound of Blue, Green and Red and In the Night.

Full filmography
Ratings

A Desert Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave A Desert 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and 64 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 73/100, strongest in sensory experience (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

73 /100

A Desert Echo Score Breakdown

A Desert offers a distinctive atmosphere and strong visual identity but contends with uneven narrative and character depth. The film’s production exhibits a careful attention to framing and color, while moments of surreal tension underscore its thematic ambition. However, the pacing and structural shifts often create a sense of disengagement, and several characters remain underdeveloped. Overall, the film presents a compelling sensory experience that is offset by a narrative that may feel fragmented to some viewers.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of cinematography and production design, A Desert displays a deliberate color palette and striking framing that reinforce its neo-noir sensibility. Editing choices, including abrupt cuts and layered imagery, underscore its experimental tone but occasionally feel disjointed. Direction demonstrates confidence, especially in atmospheric compositions. Overall, the film’s craft balances bold style with moments of uneven execution.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    In terms of character and emotion, the film delivers committed performances that convey a pervasive sense of unease and curiosity. Several key figures exhibit clear motivation but lack deeper backstories, which dampens their emotional impact. The ensemble chemistry fluctuates between compelling moments and detachment. Overall, the character work provides solid intensity but offers limited depth.

  • Story & Flow 60

    In terms of story and flow, A Desert presents a bifurcated structure that merges enigmatic sequences with surreal imagery. The pacing shifts from measured atmosphere to abrupt narrative turns, which can fragment engagement. The plot’s originality and thematic ambition are evident but culminate in an ending that some may find obscure or underdeveloped. Overall, the narrative is intriguing yet uneven.

  • Sensory Experience 90

    In terms of sensory experience, the film achieves a potent blend of eerie soundscapes and bold visual motifs that heighten its suspense. The score and sound design frequently build tension, while the visual style employs stark contrasts and subtle color shifts. Some atmospheric lapses reduce cohesion. Overall, the sensory elements deliver a memorable and unsettling mood.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    In terms of rewatch factor, A Desert’s atmospheric strengths and visual intricacies may reward repeat viewings. Viewers inclined toward unsettling imagery and thematic puzzles are likely to uncover additional nuances. However, the film’s narrative opacity and occasional pacing concerns could limit its lasting appeal for some audiences. Overall, the rewatch value is moderate and contingent on individual tolerance for ambiguity.

Videos

A Desert Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 1 trailer, 1 teaser and 1 featurette.

Official Trailer
  • Teaser Official Promo
  • Featurette Renny
Details

A Desert Also Known As

Also known as “Pustynia”.

Also known as
  • Pustynia

Seen A Desert?

FAQ

A Desert FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of A Desert, each answered in a sentence.

How long is A Desert?

A Desert runs 1 hour 43 minutes (103 minutes).

When was A Desert released?

A Desert was released on May 2, 2025.

Who directed A Desert?

A Desert was directed by Joshua Erkman.

More films by Joshua Erkman

Who is in the cast of A Desert?

A Desert stars Sarah Lind as Sam Clark, David Yow as Harold Palladino and S.A. Griffin as Detective Simon, among 12 credited actors.

How is A Desert rated?

A Desert has 5.5/10 on IMDb, 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, 64 on Metacritic and 61% on TMDB.

Does A Desert have a post-credit scene?

No. A Desert has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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