Attack the Block

2011 Action/Adventure

A group of London teens find themselves in the middle of an alien invasion and fight to defend their tower block from some evil extraterrestrials in this stylish sci-fi romp from the producers of Shaun of the Dead and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. Beset by a gang of young thugs as she passes through a South London housing estate on her way home, Sam (Jodie Whittaker) is in the midst of being robbed when a rampaging alien falls down from the stars and attacks. Later, as the police assist Sam in pursuing her assailants, strange lights start to rain down on the streets, heralding the arrival of a second, more ferocious, wave of creatures. With the city under siege, there's no place left to run. Quickly realizing she's going to have to fight if she wants to survive, Sam tracks down the street-tough teens that were in the midst of mugging her when the invasion began, and vows to battle alongside them to the bitter end. Nick Frost, John Boyega, and Luke Treadaway co-star. more..

Director: Joe Cornish

Starring: John Boyega, Jodie Whittaker, Alex Esmail, Franz Drameh, Leeon Jones

Reviews

  • This fabulously inventive debut feature, written and directed by the British comedian Joe Cornish, never flags.

    Jeannette Catsoulis - The New York Times

    29 November 2012

  • It's hot, fierce, funny, vicious and ready to bite, baby.

    Peter Travers - Rolling Stone

    29 November 2012

  • In the end, police descend on the block at the very moment their presence becomes irrelevant. They misinterpret everything; locals watch as they blame all the wrong people. Soon their flashing lights will drive away, and the block will go back to taking care of itself the best it can.

    - The Washington Post

    29 November 2012

  • There could be a few more scares and laughs, but it's a blast to be drawn into this urban ecosystem that is, to us Yanks, itself a bit alien.

    - Entertainment Weekly

    29 November 2012

  • Pulsing with a rowdy energy, the film works as both a sci-fi horror flick and a teen adventure film.

    - Los Angeles Times

    29 November 2012

Awards

  • Best International Film

    Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films (2012)

     
  • Best First Film

    Austin Film Critics Association (2011)

  • Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer

    BAFTA Awards (2012)

     
  • Best Actor

    Black Reel Awards (2012)

  • Most Promising Newcomer

    British Independent Film Awards (2011)