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Action drama

Occupation (2018): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Occupation (2018) movie poster

Occupation is a 2018 action drama directed by Luke Sparke, starring Temuera Morrison as Peter Bartlett, Jacqueline McKenzie and Dan Ewing. It runs 1 hour 59 minutes and earned $21,704 worldwide on a $6 million budget. Critics gave it 50% on Rotten Tomatoes and 45 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.5/10.

IMDb rating
4.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
50%
worldwide gross
$21.7K
Echo Score
50
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Occupation (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 59m (119 min)
Director
Luke Sparke
Genres
Action , Sci-Fi , Drama
Original language
English
Budget
$6M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Occupation About?

The premise of Occupation without spoilers.

A small town is suddenly plunged into chaos when alien ships appear, initiating a devastating invasion with global domination as their goal. Faced with unimaginable terror and widespread destruction, a diverse group of residents must overcome their differences and band together to fight back against the extraterrestrial threat and defend their home. It’s a relentless, action-packed battle for survival.

Occupation Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • gunfight
  • shootout
  • battle
  • battlefield
  • combat
  • aerial battle
  • chase
  • fistfight
  • fight
  • brawl
  • punched in the face
  • punched in the chest
+38 more
  • beating
  • beaten to death
  • shot in the head
  • shot in the face
  • shot in the chest
  • shot in the back
  • shot to death
  • explosion
  • exploding body
  • exploding car
  • exploding truck
  • exploding hut
  • exploding house
  • exploding building
  • exploding ship
  • fictional war
  • bombardment
  • murder
  • death
  • violence
  • brutality
  • mercilessness
  • kidnapping
  • hostage
  • held at gunpoint
  • rescue
  • escape
  • evacuation
  • self sacrifice
  • heroism
  • courage
  • bravery
  • deception
  • betrayal
  • blood
  • blood splatter
  • resistance
  • resistance fighter
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Cast & crew

Occupation Cast & Characters

Temuera Morrison leads the cast as Peter Bartlett, with Jacqueline McKenzie as Colonel Grant and Dan Ewing as Matt Simmons. Directed by Luke Sparke; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Occupation

· 6 more
From the director

More from Luke Sparke

More films directed by Luke Sparke, best-rated first: Primitive War, Bring Him to Me, Scurry and Devil Beneath.

Full filmography
Ratings

Occupation Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Occupation 50% on Rotten Tomatoes and 45 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 50/100, strongest in art & craft (70) and weakest in rewatch factor (35).

50 /100

Occupation Echo Score Breakdown

Occupation delivers energetic action sequences but struggles with originality and emotional depth. Critics praised its resourceful direction and explosive set pieces but noted a derivative plot and underwhelming character stakes. While domestic viewers may find the Australian setting and practical effects engaging, many found the narrative predictable and the emotional investment limited. Users frequently cited clunky dialogue and uneven pacing as barriers to engagement. Despite moments of visual flair and competent craft, the film’s overall impact remains middling, offering modest entertainment without lasting resonance.

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

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of cinematography and production design, Occupation offers competent framing and an understated color palette that supports its modest budget. The direction maintains a clear visual style and the editing keeps explosive sequences coherent. While the scope occasionally feels surprising, some set pieces lack polish. Overall, the film’s art and craft work solidly within its limitations, delivering visual consistency without achieving distinction.

  • Character & Emotion 45

    When it comes to character development and emotional resonance, Occupation presents sturdy but shallow portrayals. The cast delivers committed performances, yet the reliance on clichéd archetypes undermines deeper connection. Occasional chemistry emerges amid the ensemble, but the absence of genuine tension limits empathy. As a result, character arcs feel functional rather than impactful, offering reliable but unremarkable emotional engagement.

  • Story & Flow 40

    In terms of story and flow, Occupation follows a predictable invasion narrative with minimal surprises. The pacing is steady but occasionally drags during extended setups, while the plot remains rooted in familiar genre tropes. Although the film builds to energetic action moments, its derivative structure and limited originality reduce engagement. Overall, the story moves efficiently but struggles to captivate beyond genre expectations.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    In terms of sensory experience, Occupation features an explosive sound design and a swelling score that heightens action sequences. Visual style is cohesive, with practical effects that lend realism to the alien conflict. However, the soundtrack sometimes feels overly grandiose, bordering on cheesy in key moments. Despite these fluctuations, the film delivers a solid auditory and visual presentation that enriches its action focus.

  • Rewatch Factor 35

    When considering rewatch factor, Occupation provides moments of kinetic action that may invite repeat viewing for genre enthusiasts. The homegrown Australian setting and practical effects offer some novelty, but the lack of narrative depth and emotional stakes diminishes lasting appeal. The derivative plot and inconsistent tension further reduce replay value. Consequently, the film’s rewatch potential remains limited, appealing primarily to viewers seeking straightforward action.

Box office

Occupation Box Office & Budget

Occupation grossed $21,704 worldwide on a $6 million budget.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$21.7K

International
$21.7K
Budget
$6M
Videos

Occupation Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 teaser.

OCCUPATION Official Trailer (2018)
  • Trailer Occupation Trailer #1 (2018) | Movieclips Indie
  • Teaser OCCUPATION teaser trailer
Cars

Cars in Occupation

30 cars on screen, including the 1987 Land-Rover 110 Perentie and the 1988 Toyota Dyna 100.

All 30 cars
  • 1987 Land-Rover 110 Perentie in Occupation 1987 Land-Rover 110 Perentie Important role
  • 1988 Toyota Dyna 100 in Occupation 1988 Toyota Dyna 100 Important role
  • 1991 Toyota Land Cruiser in Occupation 1991 Toyota Land Cruiser Important role
  • 2002 Ford Explorer in Occupation 2002 Ford Explorer Minor role
Details

Occupation Also Known As

18 alternative titles, including “A Invasão” and “Оккупация”.

Also known as
  • A Invasão
  • Оккупация
  • オキュペーション 侵略
  • Invaders
  • Ocupación
  • 아큐페이션
  • Окупация
  • Κατοχή
  • כיבוש
  • Megszállás
  • İşgal
  • 異星佔領
+6 more
  • 占领
  • La invasión
  • Okupacija
  • Giải Cứu Địa Cầu
  • تصرف
  • オキュペーション-侵略-

Seen Occupation?

FAQ

Occupation FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Occupation, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Occupation?

Occupation runs 1 hour 59 minutes (119 minutes).

When was Occupation released?

Occupation was released on July 20, 2018.

Who directed Occupation?

Occupation was directed by Luke Sparke.

More films by Luke Sparke

Who is in the cast of Occupation?

Occupation stars Temuera Morrison as Peter Bartlett, Jacqueline McKenzie as Colonel Grant and Dan Ewing as Matt Simmons, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Occupation make at the box office?

Occupation grossed $21,704 worldwide on a budget of $6 million.

How is Occupation rated?

Occupation has 4.5/10 on IMDb, 50% on Rotten Tomatoes, 45 on Metacritic and 47% on TMDB.

Does Occupation have a post-credit scene?

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

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