A Feral World

A Feral World is a 2020 independent post-apocalyptic drama written and directed by David Liban. Set in a devastated future landscape, the story centers on Sonny, a young orphaned boy who survives in a desolate world ruled by violence and scarcity. When he crosses paths with a grieving mother named Emma, their fates intertwine in a deeply emotional journey of survival, healing, and unlikely companionship.

Emma is searching for her missing daughter, who may have been taken by a ruthless warlord. Sonny, hardened by years of solitude, reluctantly joins her, and together they navigate the wreckage of society. Along the way, they encounter both threats and glimpses of humanity as they search for answers—and redemption.

The film is notable for its real-time filming process. Shot over several years, the audience can observe the characters, especially Sonny, physically age and mature, adding a layer of realism to their emotional arc. The movie is intimate in scope, with a focus on character development rather than action spectacle.

Caleb Liban, the director’s son, plays Sonny with quiet vulnerability, while Danielle Prall delivers a moving performance as Emma, a woman driven by love and loss. The supporting cast adds texture to the bleak but emotionally resonant world they inhabit.

Though modest in budget, the film's sincerity is evident in its storytelling and dedication to emotional authenticity. Some viewers may find the pacing slow and the effects minimal, but the heart of the film lies in its exploration of human resilience and trust in the face of collapse.

A Feral World is a thoughtful and quietly powerful film that offers a unique take on the post-apocalyptic genre—less about chaos and more about the fragile hope that survives after everything else is gone.