If there’s one thing that kills a movie that banks on the amount of “self-aware” humour shining through, it’s the audience feeling like they’re not in on the joke.

The only problem with the riotous earth-invasion comedy, wonderfully titled Save Yourselves!, is that the portrayals of cell phone addicted, self-absorbed, millennial hipsters is so on the nose that it’s impossible not to find the characters grating.

They’re supposed to be archetypes, but like the social justice warrior who just won’t quit at the dinner table, the discord these characters sow will make you want to tear your hair out.

My only advice is, put simply, don’t. Because you’ll miss out on a latter half that becomes more and more endearing with every frame.

Tonally, sure, Save Yourselves! is too damn smart and snarky for its own good. Writer-directors Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson have that to work on.

But this sci-fi comedy about a Brooklyn couple who go to a remote cabin to unplug, leaving them unaware of an attack on the planet, ends up being a riot.

Once we get past a grueling half hour, the hilarious, fantastic chemistry between Sunita Mani and John Reynolds takes hold. The thing is, once the film switches gears it’s actually really, really funny.

Other than the pacing, you will find yourself thoroughly enjoying the meat and potatoes of this gem, even if the garnish is a little unnecessary.

It might just be your speed, and if you’re going to take a chance on a movie, you could do a whole lot worse than the inventive Save Yourselves!

3/5 Stars