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Action sci-fi film

Scorched Earth (2018): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Scorched Earth (2018) movie poster

Scorched Earth is a 2018 action sci-fi film directed by Peter Howitt, starring Gina Carano as Attica Gage, Patrick Sabongui and Luvia Petersen. It runs 1 hour 36 minutes. Critics gave it 20% on Rotten Tomatoes and 32 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.4/10.

IMDb rating
4.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
20%
Echo Score
47
Metascore
32
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Scorched Earth (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 36m (96 min)
Director
Peter Howitt
Genres
Action , Sci-Fi
Original language
English
Studio
Cinedigm
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Scorched Earth About?

The premise of Scorched Earth without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In a devastated world plagued by toxic air and poisoned waters, bounty hunter Attica Gage seeks to capture Elijah Jackson, a dangerous outlaw. While infiltrating his gang, she encounters a young slave girl, prompting a reawakening of her own suppressed feelings. Gage is forced to question her solitary, survival-focused life and consider the possibility of finding redemption amidst the harsh realities of a ravaged landscape.

Scorched Earth Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • gas mask
  • silver
  • environmental damage
  • heavy rain
  • storm
  • lightning
  • acid
  • cowboy hat
  • water
  • silver mine
  • mine
  • mining
+38 more
  • abandoned mine
  • dynamite
  • dystopia
  • near future
  • dark future
  • montana
  • frontier town
  • small town
  • village
  • beard
  • sheriff
  • power
  • tyrant
  • safe haven
  • warlord
  • doctor
  • laboratory
  • f word
  • profanity
  • impostor
  • card game
  • flashback
  • scar
  • disfigurement
  • body armor
  • greenhouse
  • singer
  • saloon
  • horse
  • coffin
  • presumed dead
  • abandoned ship
  • abandoned boat
  • shipwreck
  • docks
  • jail cell
  • acid burn
  • criminal
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Cast & crew

Scorched Earth Cast & Characters

Gina Carano leads the cast as Attica Gage, with Patrick Sabongui as Womack and Luvia Petersen as Chavo. Directed by Peter Howitt; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Scorched Earth

· 6 more
From the director

More from Peter Howitt

More films directed by Peter Howitt, best-rated first: Sliding Doors, Johnny English, Laws of Attraction and Antitrust.

Full filmography
Ratings

Scorched Earth Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Scorched Earth 20% on Rotten Tomatoes and 32 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 47/100, strongest in character & emotion (65) and weakest in story & flow (35).

47 /100

Scorched Earth Echo Score Breakdown

Scorched Earth suffers from inconsistent momentum and a modest production scope. While a few critics and viewers noted its engaging action sequences and effective world-building within a B-movie framework, many found the pacing draggy and the narrative lacking cohesion beyond its promising premise. Gina Carano's performance as a bounty hunter offers a focal point, though her talents are sometimes underutilized. Overall, the film delivers occasional thrills but falls short of sustained engagement.

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

  • Art & Craft 55

    In terms of art and craft, Scorched Earth offers a credible post-apocalyptic environment through its production design and practical effects. Reviewers acknowledged the film’s effective world-building, with dusty landscapes and makeshift settlements. However, the low-budget cinematography and editing occasionally highlight resource constraints. Ultimately, the visual presentation remains serviceable but unremarkable.

  • Character & Emotion 65

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film centers on Gina Carano’s physical presence and fight choreography. Critics and viewers praised her commanding performance in action sequences, though some noted limited emotional depth and underdeveloped supporting roles. The chemistry among characters provides occasional engagement, but the character arcs lack substantial nuance. Overall, the performances register as competent yet restrained.

  • Story & Flow 35

    In terms of story and flow, Scorched Earth adopts a classic post-apocalyptic western structure that some found predictable. Reviewers cited a promising premise hindered by uneven pacing, with narrative momentum slowed by repetitive sequences. The plot coherence suffers from underdeveloped world dynamics and a lack of surprising twists. Consequently, the storyline feels patchy and underwhelming.

  • Sensory Experience 50

    When evaluating sensory experience, the film’s sound design and musical score complement its dusty aesthetic, though neither element stands out. Observers noted that ambient effects reinforce the desolate setting, but the soundtrack lacks memorable themes. The visual style maintains cohesion with its muted color palette, yet there is little in way of striking imagery. Overall, the sensory components are functional but seldom impactful.

  • Rewatch Factor 40

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film’s niche appeal limits its lasting engagement. Some viewers appreciated the B-movie charm and action beats enough to consider revisiting, but many found the uneven pacing and sparse character development diminished repeat viewing potential. While the premise offers intermittent entertainment, the overall experience lacks sufficient depth for enduring appeal.

Plot

Scorched Earth Plot Summary

What happens in Scorched Earth from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the not-so-distant future, the world is reshaped by brutal climate upheaval called the Cloud Fall, where pollution and relentless mining have made large swaths of the Earth nearly unlivable. Water—delivered through purifiers known as tabs—and the precious metal silver, ground into the inside of breathing masks, become the era’s currency. Driving fossil-fueled vehicles is outlawed, and bounty hunting has flourished as people hunt for these scarce resources, often meeting grim endings as rewards are claimed dead or alive. Against this harsh backdrop, a formidable bounty hunter named Attica Gage, Gina Carano, moves with a relentless efficiency through a landscape of dust, ruins, and shifting loyalties.

Full summary

The whole story of Scorched Earth, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Scorched Earth Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Scorched Earth.

Scorched Earth Trailer #1 (2017) | Movieclips Indie
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Scorched Earth?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the outlaw who is building the shelter‑town called Defiance?

Cars

Cars in Scorched Earth

9 cars on screen, including the 1979 Chevrolet Blazer and the 1969 Dodge Charger.

All 9 cars
  • 1979 Chevrolet Blazer in Scorched Earth 1979 Chevrolet Blazer Important role
  • 1969 Dodge Charger in Scorched Earth 1969 Dodge Charger Important role
  • GM K-Series in Scorched Earth GM K-Series Important role
  • Mazda B-Series in Scorched Earth Mazda B-Series Important role
Details

Scorched Earth Also Known As

11 alternative titles, including “Обгорена земя” and “Spálená země”.

Also known as
  • Обгорена земя
  • Spálená země
  • Terra Queimada
  • Tierra quemada
  • Выжженная земля
  • 스코치드 어스: 분노의 추격자
  • 焦土之戰
  • 焦土作战
  • אדמה חרוכה
  • Scorched Earth - Cacciatrice di taglie
  • レッド・ハンター

Seen Scorched Earth?

FAQ

Scorched Earth FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

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

How long is Scorched Earth?

Scorched Earth runs 1 hour 36 minutes (96 minutes).

When was Scorched Earth released?

Scorched Earth was released on February 2, 2018.

Who directed Scorched Earth?

Scorched Earth was directed by Peter Howitt.

More films by Peter Howitt

Who is in the cast of Scorched Earth?

Scorched Earth stars Gina Carano as Attica Gage, Patrick Sabongui as Womack and Luvia Petersen as Chavo, among 10 credited actors.

How is Scorched Earth rated?

Scorched Earth has 4.4/10 on IMDb, 20% on Rotten Tomatoes, 32 on Metacritic and 53% on TMDB.

Does Scorched Earth have a post-credit scene?

No. Scorched Earth has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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