The Road vs The Day After...

I look at "The Road" as one of the possible outcomes/sequels to "The Day After".

Essentially, it appeared as though there were some signs of governmental control after the nuclear exchange.
But at the same time, the telltale signs were all over the place that grip was slipping.

I'll have to agree with you and choose The Road. It is an incredibly depressing film, though there's a good bit that's left unexplained.

I got depressed when people started calling all Post Apocalyptic movies "Rip-offs of The Road" but they prescribed me some THX 1138 and I got through it.