A man wakes up one morning to a world untouched other than every human alive has disappeared. I will leave most of this movie alone so not to ruin what I consider to be one of the strangest and most glorious endings that I've ever seen.

Most of this movie is pedestrian and you've seen it before. The main character is equipped with a convenient set of skills that assist him in deciphering the mystery. I suppose it's not convenient really, after all, the story needs to pick a character that matters. The explanation for what has occurred to bring about the disappearance of billions of people was sort of like "The Mist" in the sense that it's a "science gone wrong" scenario.

The action and character conflict is off-kilter, which detracts from the story a lot. Let's just leave all of that behind, though, because this movie is all about its ending shot. It's marvelous and awe-inspiring. I have no idea what it is or what it means, but I love it.

Other viewers will first try to decipher what it means. Then, when that effort proves fruitless, will have to resign in knowing that it means exactly what they want it to. This alone gives "The Quiet Earth" a lasting impact.