Preservation (2014)

What Is Preservation?

Preservation is a tense psychological-horror thriller from 2014 (90 min), written and directed by Christopher Denham, and produced by Present Pictures. It follows a married couple—Wit (Wrenn Schmidt), Mike (Aaron Staton)—and Mike’s brother Sean (Pablo Schreiber) on a weekend hunting trip that quickly turns deadly.

Plot Synopsis

As they venture into a supposedly closed forest preserve to reconnect and cope with stress, the trio wakes to discover their gear stolen and large black “X” marks on their foreheads. Soon the situation escalates from survival to primal insurrection: they aren’t just lost—they’re prey. Separated by wilderness and paranoia, the siblings begin to turn on each other while an unseen sniper watches.

Cast & Characters

• Wrenn Schmidt as Wit Neary – an anesthesiologist who must fight to survive.

• Aaron Staton as Mike Neary – her husband, seeking reconnection and normalcy.

• Pablo Schreiber as Sean Neary – a war veteran battling PTSD.

• Supporting cast: Cody Saintgnue, Nick Saso, Michael Chacon.

 Production Insights

• Shot over a brisk 23-day schedule in Southern California (Santa Clarita and Agua Dulce), due to budget and location constraints.

• Cinematography on a Red Epic camera with anamorphic lenses emphasizes suspense, creating claustrophobic framing and tension through what remains unseen.

• Denham, inspired by John Carpenter’s Halloween, intentionally chose psychological dread over gore, crafting moments of silence and dread rather than overt violence.

Themes & Atmosphere

• Explores the erosion of trust and the primal instincts unleashed in extreme situations.

• Uses isolation, PTSD, and marriage strain as emotional anchors.

• A tense "most dangerous game"-style premise: humans hunting humans, reflecting on power and survival.

Reception

• Rotten Tomatoes: 46% critics, 23% audience.

• Critics noted the film’s uneven tone—some felt it lost momentum in its final act, while others praised its suspense.

• Praise came from Fangoria and Dread Central, calling it a gripping survival thriller.

• Audience reviews on Plex highlight strong acting and vivid tension, though some criticized plot logic.

Festival & Release Info

• World Premiere: Tribeca Film Festival (April 17, 2014)

• Screened at Fantasia and Sitges festivals

• Theatrical release via The Orchard: January 9, 2015; streaming followed in August 2015

Who Should Watch It?

If you enjoy:

• Raw, minimalist survival horror

• Tense, slow-burn atmosphere

• Character-driven psychological drama
  then Preservation delivers a gripping, stripped-back experience. While not a mainstream favorite, it holds appeal for indie-horror lovers and genre enthusiasts.