Adam Scott Navigates Tangles of Conspiracy in the Timely Thriller ‘The Saviors’ – A SXSW Review

Following his appearance in the horror film Hokum, Adam Scott returns with a new role in The Saviors, a film premiering at the SXSW Film Festival in Texas. The movie takes a timely look at rising suspicions of Middle Eastern individuals amidst a politically divided America. Through the lens of Scott’s character, Sean Harrison, his Black wife Kim (Danielle Deadwyler), and his sister Cleon (Kate Berlant), The Saviors adopts a paranoid-thriller format reminiscent of 1970s classics like The Parallax View and The Conversation, adding satirical elements that resonate—until they don’t.

In The Saviors, Sean and Kim Harrison are facing a divorce, but financial constraints lead them to rent out their garage to a seemingly innocent brother and sister from the Middle East, Jahan (Theo Rossi) and his deaf sibling Amir (Nazanin Boniadi). Sean, who considers himself a liberal, also harbors conspiracy theories, compounded by unsettling dreams that blur the lines between reality and paranoia. As strange occurrences unfold at the Airbnb—a flickering light, unusual noises, and the mysterious disappearance of Kim’s journal—his skepticism begins to gain traction.

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A pivotal family dinner introduces Sean’s parents (Ron Perlman and Colleen Camp), who attempt to influence their children with right-wing propaganda. This scene deepens the plot’s intrigue. Subsequently, Sean and Kim unite over their growing suspicions about their tenants, enlisting a private investigator (Greg Kinnear) to uncover whether the siblings may be involved in a covert plot against the president.

With Kinnear’s exaggerated portrayal of the investigator and the couple’s clumsy attempts to probe their tenants, the film occasionally veers into a more comedic realm, reminiscent of the Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys Mystery Hour, rather than the intended thriller style of Three Days of the Condor. Nevertheless, the film remains engaging, particularly given the current geopolitical climate as The Saviors debuts against the backdrop of U.S. tensions with Iran. This narrative taps into the pervasive distrust that characterizes modern society; while we strive for understanding, the truth becomes increasingly elusive.

Scott effectively embodies the everyman persona, while Deadwyler and Berlant provide stellar support. Rossi grounds the tension with a nuanced portrayal of the grounded Middle Eastern brother, keeping the film’s intensity tethered to reality.

Although director Kevin Hamedani, drawing from personal experiences, wrestles with tonal consistency—at times leaning toward silliness—The Saviors ultimately delivers a thought-provoking experience, offering a glimpse into the nuances of perception and belief in contemporary America.

The film is produced by Dan Gedman, Matt Smith, Nicholas Weinstock, Divya D’Souza, Adam Scott, Naomi Scott, Michael Helfant, and Bradley Gallo.

Title: The Saviors
Festival: SXSW (Narrative Spotlight)
Director: Kevin Hamedani
Screenwriters: Kevin Hamedani and Travis Betz
Cast: Adam Scott, Danielle Deadwyler, Theo Rossi, Kate Berlant, Nazanin Boniadi, Daveed Diggs, Ron Perlman, Colleen Camp, Greg Kinnear
Running time: 1 hr 30 mins
Sales agents: UTA, CAA