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Surgeons of Horror

~ Dissecting horror films

Surgeons of Horror

Tag Archives: zombie apocalypse

Movie review: Blood Quantum

30 Wednesday Dec 2020

Posted by surgeons of horror in Movie review

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Tags

shudder australia, zombie, zombie apocalypse, zombie horror

There is a lot to praise about this film, but chiefly is its stance on American colonialism and thrusting the theme of zombie horror as the platform to herald from. The term Blood Quantum is from the Indian Blood Laws in the United States that determine Native American identity by the percentages of their ancestry, for example if you are born from a mother and father who are considered 100 percent Native American, you would be deemed as having pure blood.

It is this concept that is then carried through the film’s narrative which determines those with Native American blood, immune to a zombie outbreak that occurs.

When we meet our lead characters, they are a mismatch of family members, fractured by the toils that society has placed upon them. There’s the patriarchal figure in Traylor , an indigenous sheriff, who despite being the lead authority in the fishing town, has had his fair share of mistakes to bear his soul. The biggest test that Traylor must face is the bestow upon his two (Michael Greyeyes) sons (both from different mothers) the responsibilities that adulthood brings. One of his sons, Joseph (Forrest Goodluck) has the promise to take on this role, but is prone to self-sabotage and avoidance, which is primarily brought around by the daunting task of becoming a father himself. The other son, Lysol (Kiowa Gordon) seems to be beyond salvation, content on playing by his own rules. Traylor certainly has his work cut out for him under normal circumstances, but this all unfolds in the middle of a zombie outbreak. 

Thankfully, he’s supported by some kick-ass individuals along the way to protect him, his family and community along the way. Among them are his own father, Gisigu (Stonehorse Lone Goeman), a sword-wielding fiend who certainly knows how to hold his own and bastion of his kin. There’s also Traylor’s ex-wife, and mother to Joseph, Joss (Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers), who also happens to be a nurse. In this narrative, she serves as the constant strength and support to her family, despite all of their flaws.

The Prognosis:

The first half an hour of the movie as the zombie outbreak is unleashed, is jam-packed with tension as the lead characters first fathom what they are faced with and then how to survive this ordeal.

Unfortunately the middle section sags a little as the community has set up a refuge six months after the outbreak and learn that they are immune from the virus. The film struggles to stay afloat during this phase and at times feels that it is in danger of losing all the promise that led the stories charge. 

Blood Quantum’s saving grace comes from the strength of its characters. The inner turmoil that is evident in the set up, and like the virus itself, cannot be saved. Instead it is down to the most resilient of them to prevail and find a way out of their predicament. Just a shame it wasn’t able to keep the pace throughout.

  • Saul Muerte

Movie review: The Night Eats The World

17 Sunday Feb 2019

Posted by surgeons of horror in Alliance Francaise French Film Festival, Movie review

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Tags

French Film Festival, french horror, zombie apocalypse, zombie horror

The Alliance Francaise French Film Festival is once again showcasing some excellent features this year, especially in the horror genre.
Alongside the glorious, hard-edged, rape revenge film, Revenge, comes the debut directorial feature from Dominique Rocher, The Night Eats The World.

The film embodies Richard Matheson’s I Am Legend with its token male protagonist, struggling with isolation in a post-apocalyptic world over run by zombies, but there the similarities lie.

Set primarily within the confines of a Parisian apartment block, our lone figure Sam (played by Anders Danielson Lie, who is simply divine in this movie in creating his character with charm, charisma, coupled with this awkward mix of inept social skills) wakes up in an apartment room, after seeking refuge from a house party, only to find the afore-mentioned apocalypse has hit and it would appear that there are no other survivors… at least not human ones.

Whilst The Night Eats The World is a bit of a slow burn, audiences are rewarded with the attention to Sam’s character and as the film plays out we warm to his quirks. Sam is clearly a guy who struggles at the best of times to mix with people and would prefer to be holed up on his own, without the company of others. So it’s with some sense of irony that his wish comes true with the zombie outbreak, but through it all, his sense of isolation is heightened and he realizes that even he seeks companionship, which at one point he finds in a zombie trapped in the lift.

Despite his growing agoraphobia, Sam must break down his barriers and leap out into this strange new horizon, if he has any chance to survive in the ‘new world’.

It’s Sam’s anxiety about what may lay beyond the comforts of his four walls that makes this such a refreshing film to watch.

It also contains a feeling of warmth and humour, which juxtaposes the climate that Sam is faced with. This too provides a rich attraction to the movie that allows The Night That Ate The World to stand out and claim its own identity in a crowded sub-genre.

The Diagnosis:

Director Dominique Rocher offers a quirky and delightful take on the zombie genre, by offering a slice of humanity, whilst shining a spotlight on how crippling anxiety can be.

It is a beautifully paced movie providing ample time for the main protagonist to shine, with dramatic moments to pulsate and keep the audience entertained.

– Saul Muerte

Catch the screening of The Night Eats The World at the Alliance Francoise French Film Festival.

Screening times below:

Sun 10 Mar8:10 PMPalace Norton St.
Tue 12 Mar8:45 PMPalace Central
Wed 13 Mar8:30 PMPalace Central
Thu 14 Mar8:40 PMPalace Norton St.
Sat 16 Mar9:00 PMPalace Central
Wed 20 Mar8:50 PMPalace Norton St.
Fri 22 Mar7:30 PMChauvel Cinema
Sat 23 Mar8:40 PMPalace Central
Sun 24 Mar8:30 PMPalace Verona
Mon 25 Mar8:30 PM
Palace Central
Thu 28 Mar8:40 PMChauvel Cinema
Sat 30 Mar8:45 PMChauvel Cinema
Sun 31 Mar8:20 PMPalace Central
Mon 1 Apr8:50 PMPalace Verona
Tue 2 Apr8:50 PMPalace Central
Wed 3 Apr9:45 PMPalace Norton St.
Thu 4 Apr8:45 PMChauvel Cinema
Fri 5 Apr8:30 PMHayden Orpheum Cremorne
Fri 5 Apr8:40 PMPalace Norton St.

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