Occupation (2018): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 59m (119 min)
- Director
- Luke Sparke
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Saban Films
- Budget
- $6M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
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 Show fewer
- 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
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.
- Director Luke Sparke
-
Temuera Morrison as Peter Bartlett -
Jacqueline McKenzie as Colonel Grant -
Dan Ewing as Matt Simmons - Rhiannon Fish as Vanessa
Also Starring in Occupation
· 6 more- Felix Williamson Seth Grimes
- Charles Mesure Arnold
- Stephanie Jacobsen
- Izzy Stevens Isabella Bartlett
- Zachary Garred
- Charles Terrier
More from Luke Sparke
More films directed by Luke Sparke, best-rated first: Primitive War, Bring Him to Me, Scurry and Devil Beneath.
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).
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.
-
IMDb 4.5 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 50% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 86%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 45 Metascore
User score 3.4
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 47% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 2.1 /5
1 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 5.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
Occupation Box Office & Budget
Occupation grossed $21,704 worldwide on a $6 million budget.
Worldwide gross
$21.7K
- International
- $21.7K
- Budget
- $6M
Occupation Trailers & Videos
3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 teaser.
- Trailer Occupation Trailer #1 (2018) | Movieclips Indie
- Teaser OCCUPATION teaser trailer
Cars in Occupation
30 cars on screen, including the 1987 Land-Rover 110 Perentie and the 1988 Toyota Dyna 100.
-
1987 Land-Rover 110 Perentie Important role -
1988 Toyota Dyna 100 Important role -
1991 Toyota Land Cruiser Important role -
2002 Ford Explorer Minor role
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 Show fewer
- 占领
- La invasión
- Okupacija
- Giải Cứu Địa Cầu
- تصرف
- オキュペーション-侵略-
Seen Occupation?
Movies Like Occupation
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Occupation: Rainfall, Office Invasion and Invasion Force.
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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