PopHorror Let's Get Scared
When I first stumbled on Attack the Block ten years ago in 2011, I had no idea that I had found a new favorite indie horror film. Between the urban setting, the ink-black monsters and the ass-kicking characters, I knew right away that I had found a gem. I’m not the only one who loves this flick… it went on to win the Audience Award at both SXSW and Los Angeles film festivals and Director Quentin Tarantino included it on his list of top 10 films of 2011. Let’s take a look back at what makes this relatively unknown sci-fi creature feature so exceptional, which was released on July 29, 2011.
Written and directed by Joe Cornish (Ant-Man 2015), this film features a then unknown cast. Before John Boyega entered the Star Wars as ex-Stormtrooper Finn, he played Moses, a South London teenager fending off his neighborhood from relentless aliens in Attack the Block. Jodie Whittaker is known worldwide as the first female Doctor Who, but six years before she first entered the Tardis, she played victim-turned-badass Sam. The rest of the cast includes Alex Esmail (Strippers vs Werewolves 2013), Leeon Jones, Franz Drameh (Edge Of Tomorrow 2014, Max Cloud 2021), Simon Howard (Green Street 3: Never Back Down 2013), Luke Treadaway (Clash Of The Titans 2010) and the always hilarious Nick Frost (Shaun Of The Dead 2004 – read our retro review here).
Inner City Versus Outer Space
Synopsis:
The film centers on a teenage street gang who have to defend themselves from predatory alien invaders on a council estate in South London on Guy Fawkes Night.
On the surface, Attack the Block is a fast-talking, frenetic comedy horror about a gang of street thugs teaming up with the woman they just mugged to defend their apartment building from bloodthirsty, vehement aliens with thick, tenebrous fur, glowing fangs, and no Pause button. These eyeless creatures are simple yet terrifying—the very nature of their fur swallows the light around them and is only expressed when the creatures open their gaping jaws. They are the epitome of darkness and teeth, living shadows, and their very lack of a sensical nature is what makes them so disturbing. The idea of fighting them off seems almost laughable, especially by a bunch of swaggering youths who only want to get paid and get stoned. They’re not your standard heroes. They’re thieves and punks who would be dismissed by even the most generous people. But in Attack the Block, they shine.
According to Joe Cornish, the aliens themselves were inspired by many things, including the arcade cabinet of the infamous Space Invaders video game, the Ring Wraiths from Lord of the Rings and the wolves from 300. I love what these images bring to mind, and I totally agree on the Space Invaders guys.
Placing the alien invasion in the inner city is also a bold move. Just the logistics of trying to film on actual city streets must have been a nightmare. We see so many genre films take place in the woods or at a remote house or down a forgotten back road, but it’s rare to see them take place in the bustling city. I’ve always loved that the filmmakers chose this route and followed it through without taking any shortcuts. Trying to shoot in those tight spaces with all of those people, cars and noises must have been crazy!
I also love the dialogue in Attack the Block. South London has a specific slang, one that combines UK euphemisms with Jamaican patois to create a specific lingo known only to the area. Combine this with the fact that these kids talk fast, rattling over each other like rocks tumbling downhill, and the result could have backfired, leaving viewers scratching their heads as to what was being said. Instead, it creates this machine gunfire patter that feeds the tension of the scenes and makes the film all the more chaotic.
Check this out: the streets in Attack the Block are named after well-known British science fiction authors: Wyndham Tower (John Wyndham); Moore Court (Alan Moore); Huxley Court (Aldous Huxley); Wells Court (H.G. Wells); Clarke Court (Arthur C. Clarke); Ballard Street (J.G. Ballard); Adams Street (Douglas Adams); Clayton Street and Clayton Estate (Jo Clayton); and Herbert Way (James Herbert). The librarian in me loves this shoutout.
One thing I will mention that I thought could have been pushed aside was the dog death. I’m never a fan of dogs dying in a film, especially one that dies defending his human. That could most certainly have been skipped, and the film would have been just as good. But I digress.
I love this film so much, and it excites me to no end that I get to write about it on its 10th anniversary.
Not only is this the anniversary of the film, a sequel has been announced, one that will star John Boyega once again.
John Boyega had this to say:
“It’s been a decade since Attack the Block was released and so much has changed since then. I’m excited to see this heightened story return to the streets of London. Moses has remained one of my favorite characters to play and bringing him back is a huge honor.”
Director Joe Cornish adds:
“I’m thrilled we’re officially announcing our return to the world of Attack the Block on the tenth anniversary of the film’s release. I can’t wait to work alongside John again, bringing audiences an even bigger slice of inner-city alien action.”
Are you a fan of Attack the Block? Are you excited about the sequel? Let us know in the comments!
