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Assimilate
Film poster
Directed byJohn Murlowski
Written byJohn Murlowski
Steven Palmer Peterson
Produced byWilliam Fay
John Murlowski
Starring
CinematographyDamian Horan
Edited byJason Schmid
Music bySven Faulconer
Production
companies
Boy Meets Girl Productions
Sprockefeller Pictures
Maple Island Films
WeatherVane Productions
Distributed byGravitas Ventures
Release date
  • May 24, 2019 (2019-05-24) (limited)
Running time
93 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Assimilate is a 2019 American science fiction horror film directed by John Murlowski and starring Joel Courtney, Andi Matichak, and Calum Worthy also with Mason McNulty and Cam Gigandet.[1][2][3]

Plot

[edit]

Zach and Randy are two kids who run a YouTube channel dedicated to exploring their fictitious town of Multon in Missouri. However, they don't get as many views as they expect to, due to the fact that their town has nothing interesting going on. Zach is in love with a girl named Kayla, a lacrosse player over at the local high school, but she only regards him as a friend, she is concerned over soon having to study overseas as it means leaving her younger brother Joey since their parents don't have any time for him. During the day, Zach and Randy meet a neighbor, Ms. Bisette, who is concerned about a strange bug moving in an unnatural, synchronized pattern on her apples. They then notice a boy being dragged by his arm by his mother who the boy is screaming (to onlookers) that this woman is not his mother. But he is ignored on the basis he is just acting out.

One night, Zach and Randy hear screaming from Ms. Bisette's house, and when they go in, she screams that something bit her. However, the next day Ms. Bisette claims that nothing happened when questioned by Deputy Josh Haywood. Zach and Randy begin to see disturbing events unfold the next day, with the pastor and sheriff acting emotionless. However, Haywood dismisses the claims, telling the two not to cause any more trouble.

Outside, they run into Kayla, who is worried about the erratic behavior of her parents. Their suspicions are confirmed when Zach witnesses a bug running around the attic, with Kayla's mom's body in a hamper. However, Haywood finds nothing during a search the next day. Around that time, Kayla's mom comes, but also displays the same emotionless behavior. With no other choice, Zach, Randy, and Kayla leave, leaving behind Kayla's now clearly distressed younger brother Joey, greatly upsetting Kayla. The three go to Zach's farmhouse, where they see Zach's dad, an amputee, but he oddly gets up from his wheelchair, having been replaced by a copycat. The townspeople surround Zach and Randy and lock them in the farmhouse, putting two ice coolers in front of them. Zach then witnesses his mom being killed and "assimilated" by the bug. Luckily, Zach and Randy escape and with Kayla's help, run to Haywood's RV. By now, Haywood has begun to believe Zach and Randy, having killed his double. The four plan to radio the National Guard and send someone in, but the townspeople swarm the RV. In the ensuing chaos, Haywood is dragged out of the window and killed, and Randy leads the assimilated away as a distraction while Zach and Kayla run.

Kayla explains that there is a flower shop van that could serve as an escape vehicle. In order to reach it, they display the same emotions as the copies, fooling the doubles. They pass by the burned corpses of the townspeople, and Zach manages to get the keys. However, Kayla witnesses a process in which the kids are coerced by their parents to be bitten and copied. Kayla poses as a copy and finds Joey, but a single tear is seen by a copy and exposes her ruse. Zach is able to grab Kayla, but Joey runs off to a family cabin in the woods (Kayla having instructed him to). In the forest, Zach finds Randy, but it's revealed that Randy was killed and replaced with a copycat, and Kayla and Zach are forced to drown the copy. Zach makes a plan to upload another one of his vlogs to YouTube, hoping to tell the world what is happening. However, since both Zach and Kayla were bitten by the bugs earlier, their copies come to kill them. Zach and Kayla fend off their clones by flooding the room with carbon dioxide (distracting them with images on the monitors), suffocating them, and they are able to upload the vlog onto YouTube.

The two run into the woods into the cabin, where they find Joey staring at the TV screen, having escaped with both Kayla and Joey cuddling each other for comfort as they weep over being orphaned. In a reveal through TV displays, Zach and Kayla watch in horror as feeds from Washington, D.C., Beijing, Agra, Paris, London, New York and Tokyo show copies burning the corpses of dead humans and walking in the same emotionless state as previously seen. Zach, Kayla, and Joey realize their town was among the last to be hit by the copies.

The final scene shows the YouTube video comment section, where it's revealed that multiple people are still alive in different cities of the world, specifically Boston, Nanjing and Prague. However, the state of the Earth is unknown, with the copies now outnumbering the humans.

Cast

[edit]

Reception

[edit]

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 56% based on nine reviews, with an average rating of 4.5/10.[4]

Noel Murray of the Los Angeles Times wrote: "there’s nothing especially original about Assimilate. But director John Murlowski and a talented young cast … do at least keep the action lively and unpretentious."[5]

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Assimilate

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Assimilate is a 2019 American science fiction horror film written and directed by John Murlowski and starring Joel Courtney, Andi Matichak, and Calum Worthy. The film follows two teenagers who run a YouTube channel and uncover a conspiracy of emotionless doppelgängers assimilating the residents of their small Missouri town. It was produced by Boy Meets Girl Productions, Sprockefeller Pictures, Maple Island Films, and WeatherVane Productions, and distributed by Gravitas Ventures. The film was released in the United States on May 24, 2019, and runs for 93 minutes. On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 56% based on nine reviews, with an average rating of 4.5/10.

Background and production

Development

The development of Assimilate began in the mid-2010s when director John Murlowski conceived the core concept, drawing from classic narratives to explore themes of identity and societal division. Murlowski co-wrote the with Steven Palmer Peterson, with Peterson drafting the initial version before Murlowski undertook revisions. The writing process involved intensive collaboration, including daily meetings over two months to refine the script page by page, aiming for a fast-paced structure that blended horror with action elements. The film's narrative was heavily influenced by Jack Finney's 1954 novel and its adaptations, particularly the paranoia and duplication motifs, but updated to incorporate modern technology such as and vlogging for a contemporary format. Additional inspirations included the rapid tempo of (2002) and psychological tensions around trust and division, partly reflecting real-world societal rifts during the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign under . Key creative decisions focused on grounding the story in relatable teenage protagonists who document events via found-footage style, emphasizing emotional stakes over traditional slow-burn invasion tropes. Pre-production proceeded as a low-budget independent project, with script finalization occurring around 2017 amid efforts to secure financing through established producer William Fay, formerly of Legendary Pictures. The production involved companies including Boy Meets Girl Productions, Sprockefeller Pictures, Maple Island Films, and WeatherVane Productions, which handled logistics for this modest-scale endeavor. During this phase, lead such as , , and were cast to anchor the youthful ensemble. The timeline culminated in starting shortly after, leading to a 2019 release.

Casting

The lead roles in Assimilate were cast with emerging young actors to portray the teen protagonists central to the film's found-footage style narrative. Joel Courtney was selected to play Zach Henderson, the ambitious high schooler leading a web series about his small town; his casting drew on his established experience in youth-oriented sci-fi, notably his breakout performance in Super 8 (2011). Andi Matichak portrayed Kayla Shepard, Zach's resourceful friend and co-star in the series, marking an early film role for the actress shortly before her appearance in Halloween (2018). Calum Worthy was chosen as Randy Foster, the group's tech-savvy comic relief, leveraging his television background from series like American Vandal. Supporting roles featured a mix of genre veterans and newcomers to enhance the film's tension in a low-budget production. played Hannah, a key figure in the unfolding mystery, while took on Deputy Josh Haywood, providing authoritative presence amid the chaos. Mason McNulty appeared as Joey Shepard, Kayla's younger brother, adding familial stakes to the story. Other notable supporting performers included Terry Dale Parks as Pastor Greg and Vito Viscuso as Larry Shepard, contributing to the ensemble's portrayal of the threatened community. The casting process emphasized assembling a youthful ensemble suitable for the teen-driven plot, with director John Murlowski prioritizing actors who could convincingly handle improvised, documentary-style dialogue on a constrained budget. No major scheduling conflicts were publicly reported, allowing the production to proceed efficiently despite its independent scale.

Filming

Principal photography for Assimilate took place over several weeks in in 2018. Exteriors were primarily shot in the around the Attala County in Kosciusko, which provided the street scenes for the small-town setting, while interiors and additional town scenes were filmed in Jackson. The production adopted a bodycam-style found footage approach for sequences depicting the protagonists' , enhancing the immersive, amateurish perspective of the narrative. Horror elements, such as the alien assimilation process involving grotesque creature transformations, were achieved through practical effects to create visceral, tangible scares within the film's constraints. As a low-budget independent production, Assimilate faced challenges including a physically demanding shoot outside major film hubs, relying on a small , local extras, and community support for no-cost permits to keep costs down. The script's emphasis on a youth-led influenced the visual style, prioritizing handheld camerawork to evoke authenticity.

Content

Plot

Three friends—Zach, Randy, and Kayla—set out to create a documenting the mundane life of their quiet small town, but their project takes a terrifying turn when they stumble upon bizarre and inexplicable events in their neighborhood. As they investigate further, the group uncovers evidence that residents are being systematically replaced by perfect alien duplicates, sparking widespread and forcing them into desperate pursuits to survive. The core tension revolves around their efforts to alert the outside world to the escalating invasion while desperately avoiding capture and assimilation by the imposters. The 93-minute unfolds in a found-footage style, structured across acts that parallel the episodic format of the characters' , building through their raw, on-camera documentation of the unfolding horror.

Cast

The features a principal cast of young actors portraying the central group of friends, alongside supporting performers in authority and family roles, with a total of 46 credited cast members reflective of its independent production scale.
ActorCharacterRole Description
Zach HendersonThe determined leader of the friend group creating a about their town.
Randy FosterZach's enthusiastic best friend and collaborator in the .
Kayla ShepardThe resourceful member of the friend group involved in the project.
HannahA local resident who becomes involved with the friends' activities.
Deputy Josh HaywoodThe deputy sheriff assisting with local investigations.
Mason McNultyJoey ShepardKayla's younger brother in the Shepard family.
Supporting roles include Terry Dale Parks as Pastor Greg, the town's pastor leading community gatherings; Byron Hughes as the , the head ; Vito Viscuso as Larry Shepard, Kayla's father; Amye Gousset as Mrs. Bissette, a neighborhood resident; Additional credited performers portray replicates and minor townsfolk, with no notable voice roles.

Release

Distribution

Assimilate premiered in a alongside video-on-demand (VOD) and digital platforms on May 24, 2019, through distributor . This rollout targeted a U.S. audience amid a competitive May , opting for accessibility via streaming rather than wide theatrical distribution. Given its independent status, the distribution model emphasized digital and on-demand formats, with screenings confined to select theaters. , known for handling indie genre films, facilitated pre-orders on platforms like to build early viewership. Marketing efforts centered on official trailers that underscored the film's homage to , framing it as an indie sci-fi horror about alien replication. These promotions, including exclusive drops on sites like , tied into the story's production concept to engage audiences. Internationally, availability was limited to streaming services such as and in select regions.

Home media

Following its theatrical and digital release, Assimilate became available on home video through physical formats distributed by . The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray in the United States on July 23, 2019. As of 2025, Assimilate is accessible on various streaming platforms, including , , and Vudu (now Fandango at Home), often available for free with ads or via subscription. Internationally, the film saw region-specific editions, such as a German Blu-ray release on September 27, 2019, under the alternate titles Replicate and Life-Snatcher, featuring German and Dutch subtitles. Other markets, including parts of and , received localized DVD and Blu-ray versions with appropriate subtitles shortly after the U.S. launch. No major re-releases or anniversary editions have been issued as of November 2025, though manufactured-on-demand DVD reprints became available in early 2024 to meet ongoing demand.

Reception

Critical response

The film Assimilate received mixed reviews from critics, earning a 57% approval rating on based on seven reviews. The audience score on is 58% based on over 250 ratings. On , it holds a 5.3 out of 10 rating from approximately 6,650 user votes (as of November 2025), reflecting a similarly divided response. Critics praised the film's tense atmosphere, particularly in its early found-footage sequences that build suspense through the protagonists' discoveries, such as the chilling "You're not my mother" confrontation. The young cast, including , , and , was frequently highlighted for their strong chemistry and lively performances, which kept the action engaging and unpretentious despite the familiar premise. Reviewers also noted nods to genre classics like , with the film's body-snatcher invasion evoking homages to the 1956 and 1978 versions through elements like distending jaws in creature effects. Common criticisms centered on the predictable plot and storytelling, which largely rehash alien invasion tropes without significant innovation, leading to a routine narrative that echoes too closely. The low-budget were seen as adequate but unoriginal, relying on digital enhancements that felt reminiscent of earlier films rather than advancing the genre. Pacing issues further hampered momentum, with intermittent slowdowns that dragged the energy in this VOD thriller. In a review for Culture Crypt, Ian Sedensky commended the cast's intensity and the authentic small-town setting but lamented the lack of originality, stating, "I'd wager any amount of money that you couldn't find a single person who has seen this movie who wouldn't compare it to 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers.'" Similarly, Richard Scheib of Moria Reviews appreciated the partial found-footage style's initial tension and late suspense but critiqued the film's reliance on clichés, noting it "draws on the tropes and clichés of the genre and never does much more than rehash them."

Box office performance

Assimilate is a low-budget , with production costs not publicly disclosed. The film received a that generated minimal earnings before transitioning primarily to (VOD) and streaming platforms. Distributed by , Assimilate followed a typical strategy for the company's titles, prioritizing digital accessibility over wide theatrical exposure, which limited its visibility in cinemas but aligned with the indie market's focus on alternative revenue streams. In the broader context of 2019's box office landscape, where major releases dominated with billions in global earnings, Assimilate's performance underscored the challenges and opportunities for low-budget sci-fi horror films, achieving modest returns primarily through long-term VOD rentals, purchases, and streaming residuals rather than upfront ticket sales. This approach has enabled ongoing revenue generation, contributing to the film's overall financial viability despite its constrained initial rollout.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5238904/
  2. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5238904/plotsummary/
  3. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5238904/releaseinfo
  4. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/assimilate
  5. https://www.inktip.com/article_single.php?a_id=217
  6. https://collider.com/assimilate-movie-invasion-of-the-body-snatchers/
  7. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5238904/companycredits/
  8. https://www.nerdly.co.uk/2021/04/13/assimilate-vod-review/
  9. https://culturecrypt.com/movie-reviews/assimilate-2019
  10. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5238904/fullcredits/
  11. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5238904/locations/
  12. https://www.moriareviews.com/sciencefiction/assimilate-2019.htm
  13. https://vocal.media/horror/movie-review-netflix-s-assimilate
  14. https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/528985-assimilate/cast?language=en-US
  15. https://joelcourtney.com/news/2019/5/4/joel-courtneys-assimilate-goes-digital-in-may
  16. https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Assimilate
  17. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6zuUHJvxDo
  18. https://www.netflix.com/title/81136744
  19. https://www.amazon.com/Assimilate-Joel-Courtney/dp/B07RYC6VQN
  20. https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Assimilate-Blu-ray/246717/
  21. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5238904/releaseinfo/
  22. https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/replicate
  23. https://tubitv.com/movies/512479/assimilate
  24. https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Assimilate-Blu-ray/245607/
  25. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5238904/news/
  26. https://www.deepdiscount.com/assimilate/812034035596
  27. https://www.the-numbers.com/market/distributor/Gravitas-Ventures
  28. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/2019/
  29. https://www.the-numbers.com/home-market/distributor/Gravitas-Ventures
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