The Decline (French title: Jusqu’au déclin) is a French-language Canadian thriller released in 2020 that examines the intersection of survivalist thinking, ideology rooted in fear, and the erosion of social trust. Directed by Patrice Laliberté, The Decline receives recognition as the first Netflix original movie in Quebec. It is a brisk, meticulously crafted thriller set against the rural snow-covered landscapes of Quebec. Its treatment of just under 90 minutes is not a second too long or short in delivering an unflinching portrayal of the disintegration of civility when ideals are put under pressure.
🎬 Synopsis
We first see Antoine as he transitions from a gentle, law-abiding father living in Montreal to a man concerned with the world’s growing instability, from environmental calamities to economic meltdowns. This transforms him into a prepper, enabling him to stockpile food and learn survival skills in expectation for the impending societal collapse.
Captivated by the online survival content posted by Alain, a passionate survivalist who operates a self-sufficient camp in northern Quebec, Antoine enrolls for a week-long survival training course at Alain’s off-grid compound. The camp’s minimalistic design is complemented with a off-grid militaristic discipline that adds structure to it. Antoine is joined by five other survivors: David, a former soldier; Rachel, a strong-willed woman skeptical of groupthink; Sebastien, a quiet yet intense man fascinated by firearms; Anna, a young pragmatist hoping to learn new skills; and Francois, a gentle man whose friendly smile seemed out of place.
The first phases of training consist of a mixture of mental and physical challenges that test the participants. All members of the camp are trained in setting traps, weapon handling, water purification, and emergency shelter construction. This is complimented with lectures on the importance of personal resilience and self-sufficiency where Alain emphasizes the dangers of over-relying on government systems or urban infrastructure. While some might find Alain’s ideology radical, many others tend to resonate with it.
The turning point occurs during the bomb making demonstration. An incident occurs that leads to the very abrupt and horrific death of Francois. Antoine is shocked and panicked, insisting that they call the authorities, but Alain refuses. He is afraid of legal consequences. Alain wants to bury the body and pretend that the whole ordeal never happened. This division of tension turns into conflict: some agree with Alain, prioritizing the group’s safety and secrecy, while others believe in reporting the truth.
As the arguments get worse, there is a division within the group. What was once a community of like-minded survivalists now becomes a battleground. Alain, David, and Sebastien hunt down Antoine, Rachel, and Anna, who flee into the woods. The last act of the film depicts a brutal wintry chase, symbolizing the fight between compassion and cold-blooded pragmatism, morality against extremism.
🎭 Cast and Performances
Laurin gives a relatable and grounded performance as Antoine. He starts out as an idealistic prepper and gradually transforms into a man who has to confront the extremity of his beliefs.
Alain becomes a more charismatic and unnerving character through Réal Bossé’s performance. His portrayal of a man who is convinced of his righteousness adds a bit of nuance; he is not a villain in his own eyes, but someone blinded by ideology.
Marie-Evelyne Lessard as Rachel empathizes with the group while also bringing strength to the character. She functions as the moral center of the group, challenging both Alain’s teachings and Antoine’s passive acceptance of them.
In addition, Marc Beaupré as David, Marc-André Grondin as Sebastien, and Marilyn Castonguay as Anna each exhibit a different psychological response to crisis—ranging from violent loyalty to quiet fear.
🎥 Direction and Cinematic Style
As Patrice Laliberté, the director, employs a minimalist visual style, the Canadian wilderness takes on a character all its own; it is vast, cold, and unforgiving. The use of wide angle shots to illustrate isolation combined with angle close-ups during heated exchanges captures tension without the need for overly dramatic music or heavy dialogue.
As is evident in the paced structure, the film begins at a deliberate pace. Easing audiences into the worldview and routine of survivalists provides a stark contrast to the accident, which catalyzes an immediate shift in tone. The film becomes a visceral, unflinching, and claustrophobic survival thriller, despite the vast outdoor setting.
Elements like wind, footsteps, and distant gunshots take the place of a dominating score to set the mood while simultaneously creating atmosphere. The absence of melodrama bolsters the film’s realism, and lacking a background score to guide the audience’s emotions allows raw tension to shine through.
🎯 Themes and Symbolism
The Decline is much more than simply a survivalist thriller. It poses thought-provoking inquiries surrounding societal constructs, ethics, and the intrinsic nature of fear.
Survivalism vs Extremism: The film critiques the ideology of preparedness and how it borderlines paranoia. Alain’s downfall is far from abrupt; rather, he is shaped by years of institutional distrust.
Moral Compromise: Characters must confront moral lines alongside loyalty to the collective. The film poses the question, what does one’s conscience become during the act of survival?
Trust and Leadership: Alain’s traits, which include a natural charm and keen intellect, brimming with self-assurance, compel people to follow him as a leader. However, the group’s actions challenge Alain’s authority, showcasing the risks of unquestioning leadership.
Civilization vs Isolation: The camp functions as a micro society devoid of regulatory frameworks, laws, or structure. Once conflict arises, there are no police or courts; only the lowest common denominator of humanity unchecked by systems.
The Fragility of Community: Pressure dismantles cooperative efforts. Unity is a fragile construct, especially when forged by fear rather than trust.
📊 Reception and Critical Response
The Decline was praised for its gripping narrative, social commentary, and relevance in contemporary discussions of conspiracy theorists combined with the growing mistrust in the government during the pandemic, climate change, and heightened political tensions.
Viewers commended the film for steering clear of overused concepts. There are no heroes or villains in the traditional sense; rather, there are people making difficult decisions. The film’s sparse dialogue combined with the lack of grandiose action sequences provide a sense of realism that is all too familiar in the world today.
The critics noted the film’s ability to create tension with little to no resources and character interactions in the space as opposed to spectacle. The film’s brief length was also highlighted as a strength because it provided a concise and impactful experience.
🔚 Conclusion
Ideologically driven, Decline tackles the intersection of theory and reality. It meticulously analyzes the disturbing human impulse to exert control over the chaotic world, and how that impulse can lead to dangerous forms of extremism.
Although the setting is the Canadian wilderness, the message is universal: in uncertain times, the way we respond—who we put our faith in, what we accept, how we treat others—will shape reality far more than any catastrophe could.
With its powerful performances, sharp cinematography, and engaging themes, The Decline is one of the most striking survival thrillers of the last decade. It serves as a sobering reminder that the greatest danger within a society on the brink of collapse is not mother nature—but humanity itself.
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