“Imagine a world where 95% of the population has perished, but the remaining 5% live in serene, mountaintop communities above 8000 feet, untouched by the death and destruction below. These virtual Gardens of Eden offer everything a person could need: food, water, safety, and stunning natural beauty. The question that intrigued me was, could humanity truly thrive in such a world?’ questions director George Nolfi of Elevation, set in the post-apocalyptic Rocky Mountains where a single father and two women venture from the safety of their homes to face monstrous creatures to save the life of a young boy.
The world has changed. The only habitable place left for humanity is in the high mountains, above 8000 feet. Below 8000 feet dwell the creatures that killed 95% of the human population less than three years ago. To save the life of his young son, a father (Anthony Mackie) is forced to venture below “The Line” with a scientist (Morena Baccarin) he despises, but who just might hold the key to defeating the monsters, and a young woman (Maddie Hasson) determined to keep them both alive long enough to save the human race.
Directed by George Nolfi / Written by John Glenn, Jacob Roman, Kenny Ryan
Director’s Statement
Imagine a world where 95% of the population has perished, but the remaining 5% live in serene, mountaintop communities above 8000 feet, untouched by the death and destruction below. These virtual Gardens of Eden offer everything a person could need: food, water, safety, and stunning natural beauty. The question that intrigued me was, could humanity truly thrive in such a world? What would people become when all their physical needs are met, but they are isolated from the rest of the world? This film starts with that premise and then takes you on a gripping journey, where our characters must venture below The Line at 8000 feet that defines their lives. It’s in this descent that we confront a deeper question: Is the very technology and intelligence that helped us evolve and create great civilizations also driving us toward destruction?
Bringing this story to life, especially for a third time working with Anthony Mackie, alongside the incredible talents of Morena Baccarin and the rest of the cast, was both challenging and exhilarating. We shot in breathtaking yet demanding locations — from operating ski lifts in the Colorado Rockies to deep within an active mine, a mile underground. These settings aren’t just backdrops; they elevate the tension and stakes of the film, creating a truly immersive, theatrical experience. Our entire team was all-in, pushing boundaries to ensure that this movie not only entertains but also makes you question the future of humanity.
GEORGE NOLFI, P.G.A. | DIRECTOR/PRODUCER
George Nolfi directed, wrote, and produced The Adjustment Bureau, starring Matt Damon, Emily Blunt and Anthony Mackie and The Banker, starring Anthony Mackie and Samuel L. Jackson, which won the NAACP award for best independent feature in 2021. His screenplay credits include The Bourne Ultimatum, Ocean’s Twelve, and The Sentinel. He was the creator, showrunner, and principal director of the television spy series, Allegiance. With Elevation, Nolfi reunites with Mackie for their third collaboration, alongside Morena Baccarin, in a high-stakes action-thriller set against the dramatic landscapes of the Colorado Rockies. Nolfi studied international affairs, political science, and philosophy as an undergraduate at Princeton University and graduate student at Oxford University and UCLA.
JOHN GLENN | WRITER/PRODUCER
Glenn is a showrunner, director, and executive producer who has worked with a multitude of A-list actors, producers, and most every studio and network in film and television. His historically inspired vision of Robin Hood has been ordered to series by MGM+ and Lionsgate, and he is also developing The Assassin for Max, starring Matthew Fox, along with several other film and television projects. Glenn’s notable previous work includes SEAL Team, DreamWorks’ Eagle Eye, and production rewrites for films like Law Abiding Citizen and Clash of the Titans. He is represented by CAA and Entertainment 360.
KENNY RYAN, JACOB ROMAN | WRITERS
After meeting in college, KENNY RYAN and JACOB ROMAN teamed up to sell their first script, DAVID VS GOLIATH (a 300-style take on the Biblical epic) to Sony Pictures. Since then they’ve sold multiple feature projects around town, most recently ELEVATION, which they wrote and co-produced with Brad Fuller and John Glenn. Starring Anthony Mackie & Morena Baccarin and directed by George Nolfi, the film will be released theatrically by Vertical on November 8th.
Their latest feature is SLEEPING BEAUTY, a high-concept action thriller they’re producing alongside Scott Free, with Madelaine Petsch attached in the lead role.
On the TV side, they spent three seasons as writer/producers on the CBS network primetime hit SEAL TEAM starring David Boreanaz and Max Thieriot. They’re currently Co-Executive Producers on the Lionsgate/MGM+ show ROBIN HOOD, premiering fall 2025.
Kenny and Jacob have developed a reputation as hyper-collaborative and highly generative writers, with an ability to breathe emotional life into conceptually muscular stories that appeal to a broad audience.
