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Horror thriller

Alive (2018): Cast & Ratings

Alive (2018) movie poster

Alive is a 2018 horror thriller directed by Rob Grant, starring Angus Macfadyen as The Man, Chantal Perron and Thomas Cocquerel. It runs 1 hour 31 minutes. Its Echo Score is 71/100.

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Alive (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 31m (91 min)
Director
Rob Grant
Genres
Thriller , Horror
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Alive About?

The premise of Alive without spoilers.

Awakening severely injured in an abandoned sanitarium, a man and a woman find their freedom controlled by a sadistic caretaker. As they struggle to understand their circumstances, they must confront the horrific truth about their lost identities and the events that led to their confinement.

Alive Themes & Keywords

· 40 tags
  • patients
  • strapped to a gurney
  • lightning
  • bloody bandage
  • tattoo
  • whistler
  • anaesthesia gas
  • sadistic man
  • medical facility
  • gruel
  • herbs
  • cpr
+28 more
  • defibrillation
  • physical therapy
  • rottweiler
  • attack dog
  • public address system
  • reference to daughter
  • convict
  • flashback
  • photo album
  • child's room
  • hedge clippers
  • mouth sewn shut
  • pierced earrings
  • walk in freezer
  • frozen bodies
  • pool of blood
  • entrails
  • escape
  • river
  • pushed of a cliff
  • shot in abdomen
  • camper
  • hospital
  • detective
  • strapped to a wheelchair
  • medical experimentation
  • scene after end credits
  • photograph
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Cast & crew

Alive Cast & Characters

Angus Macfadyen leads the cast as The Man, with Chantal Perron as Detective and Thomas Cocquerel as Male Patient. Directed by Rob Grant; 7 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Alive

· 3 more
From the director

More from Rob Grant

More films directed by Rob Grant, best-rated first: Harpoon, This Too Shall Pass, This Too Shall Pass and Fake Blood.

Full filmography
Ratings

Alive Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 71/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in story & flow (58).

71 /100

Alive Echo Score Breakdown

Alive delivers a modestly effective horror experience anchored by strong visual design and a tense atmosphere, though its narrative inconsistencies limit broader appeal. Reviewers highlighted the film’s claustrophobic hospital setting, detailed set decoration, and competent cinematography, which elevate the production value beyond its low‑budget origins. The performances draw mixed reactions, with a standout lead but uneven supporting work, while the plot’s Saw‑like premise generates suspense yet suffers from pacing lapses. Consequently, the film offers occasional thrills but remains uneven, resulting in a middling overall impression.

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

  • Art & Craft 80

    ART: The film’s visual craft stands out as its primary strength, with reviewers praising the detailed set decoration, claustrophobic hospital corridors, and crisp cinematography that enhance the horror tone. The production design’s use of medical paraphernalia and gritty lighting contributes to an immersive atmosphere, although some critics note occasional uneven editing that slightly detracts from the overall polish.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    CHARACTER: Performances provide a mixed contribution, with the lead actor delivering a convincing, intense portrayal that lifts the material, while supporting roles fluctuate between credible tension and missed emotional beats. Some reviewers commend the chemistry between the two protagonists, yet others criticize illogical character decisions that undermine engagement. Overall, the acting hierarchy creates an uneven emotional resonance.

  • Story & Flow 58

    STORY: The narrative leans heavily on familiar Saw‑inspired premises, delivering intermittent suspense and a twist that some viewers find surprising, but it suffers from uneven pacing and underdeveloped backstory for the antagonist. Critics note that the plot’s logical gaps and drawn‑out sequences diminish its originality, though the tension spikes toward the climax provide brief engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    SENSORY: Atmospheric elements dominate the viewing experience, with abundant gore, blood‑stained corridors, and a stark soundscape that intensify the claustrophobic mood. Reviewers repeatedly cite the effective set design and unsettling auditory cues as key contributors to tension, while few criticisms arise, limited primarily to occasional overreliance on shock over subtlety.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    REWATCH: The film offers limited repeat value; its surprise ending and ambiguous resolution encourage a second look for some viewers, while the drawn‑out middle section and predictable tropes discourage others. Consequently, audiences who appreciate atmospheric tension may revisit it, but the overall pacing issues keep broader rewatch appeal modest.

Videos

Alive Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Alive.

Alive (2020) Official Trailer HD - Horror Movie - In Theaters and On Demand September 18
Details

Alive Also Known As

7 alternative titles, including “Alive - Gib nicht auf” and “Пила: Начало”.

Also known as
  • Alive - Gib nicht auf
  • Пила: Начало
  • Experimentos Macabros
  • 活着
  • 얼라이브
  • Hayatta
  • Zaśnij

Seen Alive?

FAQ

Alive FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

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

How long is Alive?

Alive runs 1 hour 31 minutes (91 minutes).

When was Alive released?

Alive was released on September 7, 2018.

Who directed Alive?

Alive was directed by Rob Grant.

More films by Rob Grant

Who is in the cast of Alive?

Alive stars Angus Macfadyen as The Man, Chantal Perron as Detective and Thomas Cocquerel as Male Patient, among 7 credited actors.

Does Alive have a post-credit scene?

No. Alive has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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