The Road, directed by John Hillcoat, takes viewers on an emotional roller coaster as they follow a father (Viggo Mortensen) and son (Kodi McPhee) struggling to survive in a world that can no longer sustain life. Food, vegetation and resources have run scarce, resulting in the deaths of many and causing some to resort to cannibalism in order to stave off hunger.

Hidden in an atmosphere that is mostly gray and desolate, where trees fall from old age, buildings crumble and the cold makes bodies tremble, is a world where humanity and morals also run scarce. Armed only with a pistol and a couple bullets, father and son must continue on their path while avoiding gangs of zombie-like human cannibals looking to survive by any means necessary.

Always on the verge of starvation, they travel south in search for food and shelter, hopeful of a better world with warmth and more children like the boy. Through the father’s preaching, the boy is able to continue the demanding conquest by assuring himself they are still the “good guys,” and that they are “carrying the light,” in their hearts.

The Road differentiates itself greatly from other post-apocalyptic films by focusing its attention more on dialogue and character development than the destruction of the earth itself.

The powerful performances of Mortensen and McPhee carry the story as they react to and embrace death, love, mistrust, starvation and anger. However, as what tends to happen when dealing with most child actors, they lack the maturity and experience that comes with age. As a result, some scenes with McPhee could seem cheesy, devaluing what could have been heart-wrenching dialogue.

John Hillcoat paints imagery that is tense and disturbing, as well as including sequences both warm and eloquent, such as the dreams the man has as he remembers his deceased wife (Charlize Theron). The film as a whole shows an interesting take on what the lives of a father and son might be like as they travel a lifeless and lonely road; for on the road, continuous and unpredictable, exists only life, death and survival.