We Are Zombies review.
A world where zombies co-exist with humans provides a unique setting for the latest wild ride from the directors of Turbo Kid.
New movie reviews will not contain spoilers.
Streaming exclusively on SCREAMBOX August 13
We Are Zombies
Directed by RKSS
Written by RKSS
Starring Alexandre Nachi, Derek Johns, Megan Peta Hill, Vincent Leclerc, Benz Antoine, Carlo Mestroni and Rosemarie Sabor
We Are Zombies Review
Back in 2015, the creative trio collectively known as RKSS (François Simard, Anouk Whissell, and Yoann-Karl Whissell) made a big splash with a little movie called Turbo Kid. A wild, nostalgic, breath of fresh air that wouldn’t be out of place described as Mad Max on a BMX bike. More recently, the group released the solid throwback horror mystery Summer of 84. Both films focused on young leads and delivered a throwback feel to the 80s where kid led films were a bit more adult themed and dangerous. We Are Zombies, arriving on SCREAMBOX August 13, takes a new approach. Despite presenting a world filled with zombies…RKSS offers something that feels totally original.
Docile zombies roam the earth. Karl (Alexandre Nachi), Freddy (Derek Johns) and Maggie (Megan Peta Hill) are slacker types. They make quick bucks running scams. One of those scams runs them afoul of the Coleman Corporation…and gets their grandmother kidnapped. Their mission, should they choose to accept it, is to exhume a famous undead body for an eccentric fan.
There’s a lot to unpack in that plot synopsis. We Are Zombies does some heavy world building quickly. The dead returned…but they don’t eat brains or flesh. In fact, they’ve proven to be useful members of society. Which means, of course, that companies can use them for cheap labor. The movie isn’t making a subtle allegory as corporations profit from watching people turn on the newly risen dead. The government has stepped in and made digging up further dead people illegal. Which makes the trio’s mission a more difficult venture. Especially when they learn the cemetery they need to infiltrate is property of the Coleman Corporation.
The company kidnaps Karl and Maggie’s grandmother in an attempt to extort money from them. They’ve been running scams that cost the corporation money. Since they live con to con…simply paying them back isn’t a viable option. Hence the odd job they sign up for. If you’re thinking that We Are Zombies is about to become a simple grave digging story…think again. The cam girl that Karl is infatuated with bares a remarkable resemblance to their buried target. A briefcase full of money, a vast corporate conspiracy, pro wrestling…We Are Zombies never chooses the expected path.
At its core, We Are Zombies is a comedy. The chemistry between the three leads drives the pictures. Not everything lands…but the work put into the unique world and the effortless liability of our three slacker heroes creates a consistently fun tone. Practical gore effects are on display when things turn bloody. The climax of the movie shows off a parade of gory fun.
We Are Zombies maintains fun at a high level from start to finish. Which, ironically, exposes its biggest issue. Following a thrilling climax…the story feels like it cuts out a few important scenes. It jumps to a narration explaining what happened next instead of fully exploring the consequences of certain actions. It’s the only time the positive flow of the movie is interrupted. Perhaps it’s a budget thing. Whatever money they had to work with goes a long way in We Are Zombies…but everything has a limit. Maybe it was done to avoid slowing the train down as it reached the station. Either way…it leaves the movie off with a slightly odd feeling. As if we had watched 90 percent of a story only to be handed a synopsis of the final 10.
It’s a minor complaint given the successful bigger picture. Memorable characters populate a world that does something different with its zombie hordes. Like the best zombie stories…We Are Zombies uses the undead to layer in a bit of social commentary for those who want it. If you don’t…you can just sit back and let three grifters in way over their heads entertain you for 80 minutes. There’s plenty of blood and an equal number of laughs. Bickering protagonists and an untrustworthy sex worker clash with turncoat antagonists in a world that suddenly finds itself on the brink of disaster.
The cast uniformly commits to We Are Zombie’s tone. Every character feels like they have been part of this unique world since long before the movie begins. Everything feels lived in. A testament to the amount of world building and production value that RKSS puts into the story. We Are Zombies is a great looking movie to enjoy when you want some bloody mayhem mixed in with your comedy. Excellent practical effects only further seal the deal on this entertaining horror comedy.
Scare Value
The infectious energy of We Are Zombies wins you over. The three leads bicker and con their way through a strange world where the dead walk the earth. There’s a dash of political commentary…as the best zombie stories do. A wild climax pays off everything you hope for…even if the story conveniently jumps itself over some necessary moments in the end. A fun ride.
4/5
We Are Zombies Link
Streaming on SCREAMBOX August 13
