SKAL: Fight for Survival (2023)

🧟 SKAL: Fight for Survival (2023) – When the Internet Goes Dark

SKAL: Fight for Survival is a survival thriller that asks: what happens when a digital influencer is forced to face the real world falling apart? Directed by Benjamin Cappelletti, the film follows Arthur (Evan Marsh), a self-absorbed YouTuber celebrating his three-million-subscriber milestone with a house party—until a sudden, mysterious global collapse plunges the world into darkness and chaos.

This isn’t your typical post-apocalyptic story filled with zombies or monsters. Instead, the real danger comes from within. Arthur, more concerned with his online persona than actual survival, begins vlogging the apocalypse as if it's another piece of content. His narcissism becomes both a source of dark comedy and frustration, as he treats catastrophe like a brand opportunity.

Alongside his roommate Darren, and a complicated love interest named Emma, Arthur holes up in his apartment as society unravels outside. The film attempts to explore themes of loyalty, selfishness, and how fragile digital identity becomes when the power shuts off. But for many viewers, the story feels muddled. Character development is shallow, tension is uneven, and the constant flashbacks and monologues drag the pacing.

Visually, the film has glimpses of brilliance—empty streets, darkened skylines, and flickering screens all evoke a world on the brink. Yet these striking moments can’t save the film from its scattered structure and awkward tone. Arthur’s endless on-camera narration often undercuts the tension, making key scenes feel emotionally flat.

Critics have been harsh. Many called the film a “confusing mess,” with characters that are hard to care about and a plot that never truly commits to either satire or suspense. While the concept—examining influencer culture in a real crisis—is intriguing, the execution falls short of its potential.

Verdict: SKAL: Fight for Survival is an ambitious idea trapped inside an uneven script. It tries to blend social commentary with survival horror but ends up lost in its own chaos. Unless you’re curious about a digital-age apocalypse with an unlikeable lead and low-budget atmosphere, this may be one survival journey better left unseen.