The film opens with Paul scavenging for supplies in a storehouse and then fleeing through deserted back alleys, with the pandemonium of an apocalyptic event in the background, sirens blaring, sounds of distant explosions, and people screaming.

Fifteen years later, after a pandemic has wiped out most of the population and caused civilization to break down, Paul and his twin sons, Joseph and Thomas, live in a derelict farmhouse, eking out what livelihood they can during the day and sheltering from monstrous photophobic creatures at night.

As Thomas returns home one evening after sunset from a nearby farm belonging to the Rose family, it becomes apparent that he is the bigger risk-taker of the two brothers, while Joseph appears more intellectual and talks about ways of improving their situation beyond mere survival.

He convinces her to show him where it is kept and promises to return, but as he attempts to sneak back home, he is stopped at the gate and held at gunpoint by a farmhand who takes him for a looter.

In order to give the brothers and Charlotte more time to make it to safety, Paul locks the door behind them and holds the creatures off until the bomb explodes, sacrificing his life.

The website's consensus reads: "Led by a trio of strong performances, Arcadian blends family drama and post-apocalyptic horror to visceral, emotionally stirring effect.

[10] Steve Rose gave the film a 3/5 rating and wrote a review in The Guardian: "A lean and competent, albeit generic, thriller, with the added benefit of Nicolas Cage.

"[11] Reviewing the film for Daily Telegraph, Tim Robey was slightly less enthusiastic: "Brewer ... neglects the mightiest special effects at his disposal, which are Cage's face, voice and hands.

"[12] Barry Levitt of Empire Magazine wrote, "Though things go off the rails in the third act, Arcadian's intriguing premise and inspired monster design pack plenty of scares into this post-apocalyptic fable.