The Saviors Review: Adam Scott & Danielle Deadwyler Can’t Save This Weak-Willed Social Satire From Itself

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Kevin Hamedani’s film feels like it comes from a specific moment in time – the post-9/11 era, when suspicion towards people of color and those perceived as religiously observant was high. While America hasn’t necessarily become more accepting since then, the movie’s attempt at a meaningful message ultimately feels simplistic and unconvincing.

The film’s message is weakened by delivering its main points in the very last moments. From the start, the plot is predictable, making much of the movie feel slow and drawn-out, and the eventual “twist” isn’t very surprising. It doesn’t quite succeed as either a sharp social commentary or a gripping political thriller. While Adam Scott and Danielle Deadwyler give engaging performances and make the film watchable, the overall message ultimately doesn’t make a strong impact.

The Saviors’ Approach Is Too Diffuse To Have Much Impact

I’m already hooked on this movie! It’s about Sean and Kim Harrison, a couple who are seriously considering divorce and their house is a mess – they need to fix it up before they can even think about selling. Sean’s still trying to save the marriage with therapy, but Kim feels like it’s too late. But honestly, the chemistry between them is still so strong, even though they’re sleeping in separate parts of the house – she’s upstairs, he’s in the basement. You can just feel there’s a chance they might get back together, and I’m really hoping they do!

To cover the costs of water damage and finally move on, the family decides to rent out their guest house. Their new tenants are Amir and Jahan, a brother and sister from Seattle, played by Theo Rossi and Nazanin Boniadi. The homeowner, Hamedani, tries to convince everyone that they’re strange and untrustworthy, but the movie doesn’t really build a convincing case in the beginning. Jahan occasionally gives unsettlingly long stares, but for the most part, they seem like ordinary people. The film seems to want us to believe Hamedani’s suspicions are correct, rather than suggesting he’s simply prejudiced.

I’m really disturbed by Sean’s spiral. He’s lost his job, he’s down, and he’s self-medicating, which is making his thoughts completely wild. It’s heartbreaking because you see where it’s coming from – his family is awful! His sister makes these casually bigoted ‘jokes,’ and his parents are actively consuming hateful, racist propaganda. But it’s not just that; he’s also getting caught up in the media hype about protests and ‘extremists,’ and it’s twisted his thinking to the point where he’s genuinely paranoid, even imagining his guests might be plotting something against the President. It’s just a really scary and sad portrayal of how someone can get radicalized by a combination of personal struggles and outside influences.

The unnamed president in the story is clearly meant to be Donald Trump. The narrative highlights a large number of executive orders focused on immigration, US military actions in the Middle East, and a past attempt on someone’s life. Considering these details, it’s difficult to interpret the story in any other way. The protagonist, Sean, doesn’t have clearly defined political beliefs, but he seems to be more liberal than his family, a point emphasized by his marriage to a Black woman.

It’s amazing how quickly we jump to suspect those around us when things go wrong. Hamedani seems to be pointing this out – just as the saying goes, people on opposite sides aren’t so different – but Sean’s rapid distrust is a bit confusing. More interesting, and even humorous, is that Sean and Kim reconnect because they both feel paranoid, and it would have been great to explore the intriguing, almost sensual, way spying brings them together.

Eventually, Amir and Jahan start behaving suspiciously. They claim Amir is an architect starting a new firm and Jahan is a physicist taking a break from work, but their stories don’t quite add up. Things get particularly strange when Amir reveals he doesn’t know what cricket is, and Sean finds a box of unusual computer parts in their room.

Sean and Kim’s investigation into their neighbors seems to have turned the tables, with Amir and Jahan now watching them. However, the show isn’t just a back-and-forth game of spying. It’s a strange blend of suspenseful thriller, reminiscent of Hitchcock, and quirky comedy. Kate Berlant’s boyfriend, Jimmy Clemente (played by Greg Kinnear), is a comical private investigator – think a silly wig and wildly outdated purple-tinted aviator sunglasses. Amidst the tense moments of surveillance and worried talks, the show’s creator constantly injects one-liners and oddball humor.

While The Saviors has its enjoyable moments, it doesn’t fully commit to a single, strong approach. It could have been more effective by switching between characters’ viewpoints, creating a mystery similar to Rear Window, or embracing its darkly comedic side. Unfortunately, it doesn’t succeed at any of these, and even the talents of Berlant and Scott can’t rescue the film from feeling overly serious and ultimately failing to deliver on its potential.

The Saviors screened at the 2026 SXSW Film & TV Festival.

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2026-03-14 15:09