You know that phrase “never judge a book by its cover?” Well, I am definitely one of those people that
do. I like to say the reason is due to
my being an artist but it is entirely possible that I am just a cover
snob. If it isn’t appealing, I just won’t
buy it. I am completely aware that I may
be missing out on some really great stories but it is what it is. This prejudice of mine is also extended to
movie jackets. The cover for the movie The Returned on Netflix is one such
example. It has been popping up in my
recommend list for months and the cover added to the fact that it is a zombie
film has made me pass it by on more than one occasion. Today, I decided to give it a shot and see
just what was in store for me.
And I have to say that I am impressed.
Typically, when I think of zombies, I think of the shambling
brain eating variety from Night of the
Living Dead or the more scary infected type that are faster then a gazelle
in 28 Days Later. So imagine my surprise when someone took a
humane approach to writing a movie about the infected and a possible cure.
The Returned isn’t
a zombie movie. The Returned is an excellent drama that deals with the social
issues, stigma, and prejudice surrounding a group of people who have been given
a second chance at life and are doomed to be on medication to maintain that
life. And that statement alone makes the
movie sound boring and dull but it really isn’t. Honest.
Kris Holden-Ried gives a phenomenal performance as Alex, one
of the returned, in this movie directed by Manuel Carballo and written by Hatem
Khraiche. Emily Hampshire costars as
Alex’s wife, Kate, who is a doctor working to find a cure for the disease in a
time when the life saving prescription is running low. This is a story about life and love and
friendship and what you would do to hold on to all of that.
Whereas this movie may not be the one to huddle under the
covers in fear or check the closets for creepy crawlies, it is an excellent
story that just needs to be watched.
This concludes day 10 of my 31 Days of Horror which ended in
one that was not so horrific after all.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s post as my search for horror continues…
(bad)
(good)
Comments
Post a Comment