No one ever said this would be the "feel-good movie of the year". It's harsh, it's brutal, it's gory, and it's heartbreaking. Liam Neeson did a great job acting, as did everyone else. Very "man vs nature". I won't spoil the message of the movie, but of you really think about everything that happens in it, from start to finish, you'll understand. Stay til after the credits - it makes more sense that way.