Tales about survivors in a post-apocalyptic world proceed to fascinate viewers in such streaming sequence as “Fallout” and “The Final of Us,” however “Homestead” probably marks the primary time such a state of affairs has been used for a faith-based film. And it undoubtedly is the primary time a theatrical movie in that style has been designed because the pilot for a TV sequence — a proven fact that, when it turns into clear within the film’s ultimate minutes, might strike many viewers as a bait-and-switch trick.

Certainly, the TV sequence will get what can solely be described as emphatic promotion in these ultimate minutes, full with a kinda-sorta coming attraction trailer (not totally in contrast to the one Kevin Costner employed on the finish of “Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1”). One of many lead actors seems on digicam to immediately handle audiences about what lies forward, together with an on-screen QR code that the viewers can entry for extra details about persevering with the narrative (for an extra worth).

Sure, we’re inspired to whip out our cellphones proper then and there within the theater, regardless of how a lot administration has discouraged such exercise. Insert joke right here about how the Lord works in mysterious methods.

This twist can be way more annoying, possibly even infuriating, if “Homestead” weren’t so involving dramatically and spectacular technically. Actually, there in all probability are scads of people that gained’t thoughts shelling out just a few extra bucks, if solely to see what number of of their favourite survivors — nicely, proceed to outlive.

All of it begins when two brothers from an unidentified overseas nation in a ship off the coast of California set off a nuclear weapon, inflicting huge injury and a number of deaths within the Golden State and past. (Afterward, there may be fleeting point out of a cyber-attack on the nation’s energy grid, suggesting the siblings weren’t performing alone.) Ian Ross (Neal McDonough), a rich prepper for a cataclysm that will disrupt the social order, has constructed Homestead: a fortress-like mansion on a big unfold within the Rocky Mountains the place he, his household, and a dozen or so workers intend to journey out any upheaval. They’re self-sufficient — photo voltaic panels for energy, gardens to boost meals, and many others. — however even Ian acknowledges that, ultimately, they are going to want much more weapons, and individuals who know find out how to use them.

Fortuitously, Ian took the precaution of contracting earlier than the massive kaboom former particular service ops led by battle-toughened vet Jeff Eriksson (Bailey Chase) to supply extra safety. However by the point Jeff arrives along with his spouse Tara (Kearran Giovanni), who has a vaguely outlined navy background, and their three youngsters, chaos has unfold by the surface world outdoors. More and more determined people are displaying as much as request, then demand, provisions. At first, Ian and his spiritual spouse Jenna (Daybreak Olivieri, who not too long ago made fairly a unique impression as a really, very naughty woman in TV’s “Yellowstone”) insist that “the federal government or FEMA” ultimately will set issues proper. Jeff expresses profound skepticism, and warns them to organize themselves for the worst. Bother is, there are conditions the place even a savvy tactician like Jeff might inadvertently understate potential hazard.

Working from a satisfyingly believable screenplay by Phillip Abraham, Leah Bateman and Ben Casica, which they tailored from the “Black Autumn” ebook sequence by Jeff Kirkham and Jason Ross, director Ben Smallbone (“Priceless”) does a superb job of amping the credibility quotient with sensible particulars and minor characters, together with an unseen ham radio operator who serves as a sporadic Greek refrain, a neighborhood bureaucrat who unwisely calls for that Ian proceed to comply with deed restrictions and pay charges and a personality who wonders aloud why, contemplating the facility outages, they ever selected to purchase a Tesla.

It’s broadly hinted that Georgie (Georgiana White), an abused little one adopted by Jeff and Tara, has powers of precognition — she drew an image of a mushroom cloud earlier than the plot-propelling explosion occurred —  however disappointingly little is product of this. Among the many different dangling plot threads: A survivor who actually goes off his meds offering unreliable testimony, and a budding romance between Ian’s not-entirely sheltered home-schooled daughter Claire (Olivia Sanabia),and Jeff’s barely extra worldly son Abe (Tyler Lofton). Maybe we’ll see extra of all this within the TV spinoff.

Then again, one other plot ingredient planted halfway by cleverly pays off in a stunning, Bible-referencing method. Loaves and fishes, anybody?

The lead characters are well-cast throughout the board, with Chase and McDonough particularly efficient as complicated, unpredictable characters whose sporadic conflicts go a good distance towards creating a rooting curiosity in each males. Matthew Rivera’s putting cinematography and the film’s particular results wizardry are also main promoting factors, together with Daybreak Olivieri’s sympathetic portrayal of a girl who firmly believes that religion can transfer mountains. By the best way: Her confidence is rarely mocked. That is at coronary heart a faith-based film, keep in mind?