At a time of fear and uncertainty, The Saviors leans into that unease, and then pushes it further.
A couple (Adam Scott and Danielle Deadwyler) are grappling with their separation and struggling to pay their mortgage. They rent part of their property to a pair of siblings (Theo Rossi and Nazanin Boniadi) but soon grow paranoid the two are engaged in a terrorist plot.
Speaking at the SXSW premiere, Deadwyler expressed what makes the film feel so uncomfortably close to today’s reality.
“These are two people, Kim and Sean, who purport to be progressive and learn so much about themselves as a result of their paranoia. It shows how you can get caught up in systemic behavior and systemic thought.”
The actress also noted how the genre-bending production offers insights that many will connect to, even as they’re explored through a heightened lens.
“It challenges us to question ourselves and what the truth of ourselves is,” she added. “Film and art can be theoretical as well, but a lot of the time that comes from a lived, wisdom-based experience for artists, and they’re putting that out there. And that’s what this case is in regard to Kevin.”
Director Kevin Hamedani emphasized that the film isn’t interested in easy answers, only in exposing the cracks.
“Unfortunately, it just highlights the destructive nature of our race. The clashes between cultures, the fear of the unknown (who may just be our neighbor), and that perpetual cycle of violence because of that fear.”
He added, “That’s really the core of a lot of pain and destruction that’s going on. Twenty years ago, 100 years ago, and unfortunately, what’s going on now.”
Indeed, The Saviors leaves you with that lingering, unsettling question: what are we capable of when unfounded fear of the other takes over?
