Joe Cornish directs Attack the Block, a cheeky horror comedy, about a group of teenagers that must defend their council tower block from alien invaders. The London night sky is decorated with beautiful fireworks, when a gang of hooded teenagers, led by Moses (John Boyega) decide to mug nurse Sam (Jodie Whittaker) on her way home. At the same time, the night sky becomes ablaze as meteorites begin to hit Earth, unleashing a sea of aliens crash-landing all-around South London. The timing could not be worse as this invasion means that Sam and her hooded assailants must put their differences aside and work together to survive the night. Attack the Block is a hilarious and touching social commentary about how hard life on a council estate can be, especially for a young black man. Cornish quickly reveals the tough lifestyles these kids have, peeling back their tough exterior with humour by reminding us that they are most importantly kids beneath these threatening hoodies. And while this does not excuse their dangerous and threatening behaviour, it shines a light onto why they act this way. The character of Moses highlights the perils of living in a place like this as he is hunted by not just alien creatures but also the figure of the tower’s crime boss, Hi-Hatz (Jumayn Hunter) who seems intent on dragging Moses into a life of crime selling drugs around the block, a cycle which Moses, seems intent to break by defending the block in an attempt to redeem his previous crimes by the end.
The film highlights just how fast these kids have to grow up on the estate when it’s relieved that Moses is just 15 and basically alone in the world apart from his friends who he acts as a guardian to. The young cast do a terrific job here alongside Whittaker whose character sways back and forth in her feelings towards these kids (well to be fair they rob her). But it’s this honest portrayal that makes her interactions with the kids more engaging, as Sam is a forgiving person but never lets them forget the trauma that they have inflicted on her. Attack the Block is a sharp social commentary about life on a council estate, aliens and alienation in youth culture wrapped up in a charming action adventure horror.
FILM FIEND 