Plodding and repetitive in its efforts to maintain pressure-cooker intensity, “The Divide” resembles nothing so much as an extended “Twilight Zone” episode as it brings a sci-fi twist to a familiar scenario about stressed characters who bring out the worst in each other while trapped in close quarters. Since few ticketbuyers will be eager to subject themselves to such an ordeal, Anchor Bay will have to rely on homevid to recoup its purchase price for this SXSW Film Festival pickup.

After a nuclear strike on Manhattan by unknown assailants, apartment building residents seek refuge in a basement the janitor (Michael Biehn), a 9/11 survivor, has fortuitously transformed into a well-stocked bomb shelter. As weeks drag by, however, distrust breeds antagonism, which in turn leads to violence. Helmer Xavier Gens (“Hitman”) encourages furious overplaying by most cast members, though Rosanna Arquette has some affecting moments as an emotionally devastated mom. Things get completely out of hand during the pic’s increasingly frenzied final third, leading to a scene where a character must wade through a humongous accumulation of sewage and human excrement. Auds may be able to empathize.

March 20, 2011 1:51PM PT

The Divide

"The Divide" resembles nothing so much as an extended "Twilight Zone" episode.

With:: With: Lauren German, Michael Biehn, Milo Ventimiglia, Courtney B. Vance, Ivan Gonzalez, Michael Eklund, Abbey Thickson, Ashton Holmes, Rosanna Arquette.

U.S.-Canada

Production: An Anchor Bay Entertainment (in U.S.) release of an Instinctive Film/Preferred Content/Julijette production in co-production with BR Group and Ink Connection. Produced by Ross Dinerstein, Darryn Welch, Juliette Hagopian, Nathaniel Rollo. Executive producers, Ross Bryan, Jamie Carmichael, Michael Horn, Kevin Iwashina, Manoj Jain, Chris Ouwinga, Cathy Rollo, Tony Rollo, Bobby Schwartz. Co-producer, Eron Sheean. Co-executive producers, Rodolphe Guglielmi, Kyle Jackson, Rick Lashbrook, Teddy Percherancier, Benjamin Schwartz, Shail Shah. Directed by Xavier Gens. Screenplay, Karl Mueller, Eron Sheean;

Crew: Camera (color, HD), Laurent Bares; editor, Carlo Rizzo; music, Jean-Pierre Taieb; production designer, Tony Noble; art director, Gordon Wilding; costume designer, Mary Hyde-Kerr. Reviewed at SXSW Film Festival (Midnighters), March 14, 2011. Running time: 110 MIN.

With: With: Lauren German, Michael Biehn, Milo Ventimiglia, Courtney B. Vance, Ivan Gonzalez, Michael Eklund, Abbey Thickson, Ashton Holmes, Rosanna Arquette.