The Rain (2020)

🌧️ The Rain (2020) — When the Storm Never Ends

The Rain (2020) is a haunting environmental thriller that blends psychological tension with science fiction, exploring humanity’s fragility in the face of uncontrollable nature. Directed by visionary indie filmmaker Sarah L. Whitmore, the film uses minimalist storytelling and striking visuals to deliver a chilling narrative about isolation, guilt, and survival.

Plot Summary

Set in a near-future Pacific Northwest town, The Rain begins after a freak weather event unleashes a continuous, unrelenting rainstorm that doesn’t stop for days… then weeks… then months. The government issues emergency protocols, crops fail, communication networks collapse, and towns begin to empty. But a few families refuse to leave.

At the heart of the story is Marla Jennings (played by Ruth Wilson), a former climate scientist who once warned about radical weather patterns but was ignored. Now living in semi-isolation with her teenage son Caleb and elderly father, Marla tries to stay sane as the rain pounds endlessly on the rooftop, cutting them off from the world. Supplies run low. Power flickers. And the storm outside begins to mirror the emotional storms within.

When strange behavior surfaces in the town—neighbors turning violent, a mysterious radio broadcast repeating cryptic warnings—Marla suspects that the rain may not be entirely natural. As paranoia builds, and Caleb begins hearing voices in the static, she must face her own past failures while unraveling the truth about the storm. Is it nature’s wrath… or something else entirely?

Visuals & Atmosphere

The cinematography is beautifully bleak. Water drips from ceilings, fog blankets forests, and every window is streaked with rain. The sound design is particularly impressive—rain becomes a character of its own, ever-present and oppressive. Whitmore builds a sense of claustrophobic dread, reminiscent of Take Shelter and The Road.

Themes & Subtext

At its core, The Rain is about grief—personal, environmental, and societal. Marla's struggle is both internal and external: confronting her guilt over the ignored climate warnings, her fractured family, and a world unraveling beyond her control. The film subtly weaves in themes of denial, ecological collapse, and the limits of human resilience.

Final Verdict

The Rain (2020) is not for fans of fast-paced action, but those who appreciate slow-burn tension, atmosphere, and introspective storytelling will find a lot to admire. It's a quiet, devastating film that lingers long after the storm has passed.