Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

What a fascinating premise! The minute I read the description of Population 436 I couldn't wait to see it. A town where the population has remained at exactly 436 for over a century. Of course my imagination went wild with all the possibilities regarding how this is possible. The first thing that occurred to me, is that if a new baby is born, someone clearly has to die, or be forced out the town. And if someone dies, then someone else has to either be born, or forced into the town. Finally, once the population is balanced at 436, no one can be allowed to move away. At least not unless new people come in to replace them. Likewise, new people can't move in, unless others are forced out. So with my head swimming with all of these ideas, I looked forward to seeing how director Michelle Maxwell MacLaren and writer Michael Kingston would handle all of these scenarios.

I have to say, they were handled pretty well. I don't want to spoil anything so I won't go into any details about how the scenarios above are actually accomplished in this town, but I will tell you that all are handled with a reasonable amount of shock, gore, surprise, and good old fashioned fate. Suffice it to say the townsfolk guard their population of 436 and absolutely nothing will be allowed to change it. Here's a warning for you: Should you find yourself entering this town someday, I suggest you not let it be known to the locals that you disagree with their ways.

That's what Steve Kady (Jeremy Sisto) comes to learn. He's a government agent, working for the census bureau. He's assigned to the idyllic town of Rockwell Falls, on the assumption that a mistake has to have been made in the past. Surely the town can't have the same exact population year after year! He finds out that getting into this town isn't so simple. And once in, getting out is even more difficult. Along the way he learns of the town's secrets, but is helpless to change their ways. I have to say that Sisto did a decent job. Steve has the right amount of initial disbelief, followed by slowly increasing amounts of fear as the truth starts revealing itself to him.

Equally enjoyable to watch are Limp Bizkit's Fred Durst as Deputy Bobby Caine, and David Fox as the town's doctor. Both men are completely dedicated to their town's mission. As a result, both characters just drip with danger. The doctor, in particular, was very spooky; I really have to give David Fox credit here.

Basically, this is an enjoyable movie with the right amount of suspense and shock. If I have any complaint at all, it's that it didn't go far enough to explain certain situations. I wonder, for instance, if something were to happen to a large portion of the population (a fire, a storm, a huge accident, disease), how they would manage to replace all of those people quickly. That scenario really was not discussed. I suppose I could imagine what would happen, but it would have been nice if it had been explored.

Still, this is an enjoyable movie that tackles a very interesting premise. While not for kiddies (there are some very disturbing scenes) adults will enjoy this one.


Recommended: Yes

Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age