1. Plot Summary

Set in Perth, Western Australia, the film begins just after an asteroid has struck the North Atlantic. The impact sets off a chain reaction: a global firestorm is on its way, and there are only about twelve hours left until it hits Western Australia.
Wikipedia
+3
Wikipedia
+3
Roger Ebert
+3

James (Nathan Phillips) is the central character. At the very start, he’s with his girlfriend Zoe, who reveals she’s pregnant. Rather than staying with her or thinking deeply about what’s coming, James opts to numb out: he leaves to attend the “party to end all parties.”
Wikipedia
+1

On his way, he stumbles into an emergency of a different kind: meets Rose (a young girl), who has been separated from her father, and rescues her from two abusers.
Wikipedia
+2
Father Son Holy Gore
+2

As they journey together, James tries different ways to get Rose to safety (his sister, aunt, etc.), but many attempts end in tragedy — discovering family members dead, etc.
Wikipedia
+1

Meanwhile, James’ own internal journey runs in parallel: from someone wanting to escape all feeling, to someone who is forced to confront mortality, guilt, responsibility, and love. We see him evolve through the short span of hours. The film culminates with emotional reconciliations, attempts at saving what he can, and ultimately coming to terms with the inevitable.
Wikipedia
+1

2. Notable Elements

Here are what I found especially strong — and some weaker spots:

Strengths / What makes it stand out

Character arc of James: The transformation from cynic/selfish to someone trying to redeem himself is emotionally compelling. Nathan Phillips delivers a performance that balances anger, pain, regret, and a gradual awakening.
Father Son Holy Gore
+2
Roger Ebert
+2

Rose (Angourie Rice): As a child character in such a heavy film, Rose is portrayed with surprising depth. She is not just a plot device; her innocence, resilience, and hope provide contrast to the chaos and despair surrounding her.
Rotten Tomatoes
+1

Atmosphere, cinematography, sense of urgency: The visuals are grim, often raw, and the film uses the ticking clock (only a few hours left) very well. The world feels like it’s collapsing, both externally (firestorms, societal breakdown) and internally (human relationships, regret, fear).
Father Son Holy Gore
+3
The Guardian
+3
Wikipedia
+3

Scenes of human collapse: Scenes with police requesting euthanasia, people turning to nihilism, party scenes that are almost orgiastic in excess or despair — these are disturbing, memorable, and drive home how people might respond when all else is lost.
The Guardian
+1

Weaknesses / What doesn’t fully work

Some plot turns are quite predictable. For example, when James first tries to abandon Rose, or when attempts to find her family lead to tragedy — the beats feel familiar for apocalypse/dystopian stories.
Roger Ebert
+1

The ending, while emotional, may feel inevitable in a way that lessens surprise. If you’ve seen similar films about redemption at the end of the world, you’ll see the arc coming.
Roger Ebert

Occasionally pacing dips: when moving between locations or trying to locate Rose’s father/aunt, some moments drag. For some viewers wanting more action or more originality, that might be a downside.

3. Themes and Messages

Here are the main themes and why they resonate:

Redemption & What We Leave Behind: The film asks: if today were your last day, how would you act? What would you try to fix, what would you confess? James’ arc is all about this: repairing relationships, accepting responsibility, acknowledging love, even in the face of hopelessness.

Innocence vs. Despair: Rose represents innocence, hope, faith (even when faith makes no logical sense). Her presence forces James (and the viewer) to confront the idea that even in the darkest moments, small acts of compassion or caring matter.

Nihilism and Escapism: The “party to end all parties” is symbolic: choosing to ignore, to escape feeling, to drown in hedonism. The film shows both the allure and the hollowness of that strategy when everything is ending.

Mortality / Impermanence: The impending firestorm is metaphoric as much as literal: nothing lasts forever. Traditional apocalyptic fare, but grounded in human emotion.

Human connection vs. isolation: Even when people are lost, sometimes the connection — family, love, responsibility — is the thing people try to grasp. That’s meaningful in those last hours.

4. Personal Impressions

What I particularly liked:

The emotional resonance was strong. There were moments (especially with Rose, and James’ attempts to reconcile with Zoe, his mother, etc.) that genuinely moved me. The film doesn’t overdo sentimentality; it earns its emotional beats.

The visual style: bleak, yet beautiful in its desert / urban decay / firestorm imagery. The use of light, shadows, burning skies feels oppressive in a good way — reminding you of what’s at stake.

Supporting cast moments are impactful: small scenes (for example, with James’ mother, or the grief-stricken women) provide texture.

What I felt less convinced by:

Familiarity: If you’ve seen many end-of-the-world stories, certain moments feel like they’re ticking expected boxes. The big party, the family tragedy, the final reunion, etc.

Some pacing issues as noted: parts of the journey with Rose feel episodic, scattered; perhaps the film could have used more tightening or more buildup of suspense in some segments.

5. Audience Recommendations

This film will resonate most with viewers who enjoy:

Apocalyptic / end-of-the-world narratives that focus less on spectacle (big special effects) and more on human emotion and character study.

Drama films with moral and existential questions: “What does someone do when everything they know is ending?”

Those who appreciate strong performances, especially from younger actors (Rose/Angourie Rice is excellent) and subtle emotional arcs.

People who don’t mind heavy, sometimes bleak storytelling; this is not feel-good, though it has moments of hope.

It might be less appealing to those seeking:

Action-heavy apocalypse movies (lots of explosions, big CGI, etc.)

Light entertainment — this is serious, sometimes disturbing.

Predictability: if you like twists you can’t see coming, this one may feel somewhat familiar in its structure.

6. Conclusions and Rating

Overall, These Final Hours is a powerful, emotionally engaging film. It doesn’t reinvent the apocalyptic genre, but it uses its constraints well: low budget, limited time span, a small cast in many scenes — and makes something that lingers after watching. The interplay between despair and human dignity, the question of what matters when nothing lasts — these are well handled.

Final Recommendation: If you’re in the mood for something thought-provoking, about human nature, guilt, redemption, and love in extremis, this is a film well worth watching. It’s not for casual “popcorn” fun, but for reflection, for feeling, for that unpleasant but vital reminder of mortality and compassion.

Star Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.0 / 5)

7. Trailer on YouTube