Deadgirl – Movie Review
Deadgirl is a horror film written by Trent Haaga and co-directed by Marcel Sarmiento and Gadi Harel. The basic story is that a couple of teenage boys go a-vandalising in an abandoned mental institution and come across a woman (played courageously by Jenny Spain), naked and chained to a bed. She seems to be alive, though a little unresponsive.
The two lads react to their find in opposing ways. Rickie (Shiloh Fernandez) wants to let the girl go, while JT (Noah Segan) hears opportunity knockin *shudder*, and wants a little alone time before they take her to the hospital. During this time, JT discovers that the girl can’t be killed (don’t ask), which he takes to mean that she’s technically not human so they need not be concerned about her rights. The shite really hits the fan when a couple of jocks find out about her.
I really enjoyed this film. Apparently there are some very opposing opinions out there but mine is that the film was a new look at a zombie movie and was executed nicely. It’s a slow-burn movie, a movie where you don’t realise how much it’s getting to you until the dog barks and you’re suddenly standing. If you read my blog you would know that this is my favourite style of horror, scratch that, favourite style of film in general, and this was a worthy addition.
The acting is also quite impressive. Shiloh Fernandez looks like a young Joaquin Phoenix with the talent to back it up, so I’d suggest you watch this space. Likewise for total newbie Jenny Spain. It’s her first film and she spends it naked, snarly, bitey and chained to a bed. In various “positions”. That. Takes. Guts.
As required in any good teen-horror, there’s a decent amount of comedy mixed with the the “Oh my God, is that his guts? IS THAT HIS GUTS???” moments (answer = yes and ick). My favourite line:
“(shouting) I want to know what you did to my boyfriend!”
“(laughing) No you don’t.”
Hee hee, golden. Actually that entire scene is comedy gold.
The climactic ending is well done, it doesn’t leave you feeling shortchanged which is where a lot of slow-burn films go wrong. Furthermore, the very end will leave you trying to get the nasty thoughts out of your head. I’m still trying not to think about it.
They also follow the golden rule of horror, KISS. Keep It Simple Stupid. They don’t try to explain how the dead girl got there (there’s a couple of lines of the boys wondering, but no answers), and they don’t clean everything up nicely. Keep things unknown and you keep them scary, something that big budget horror producers are yet to grasp.
To finish up, Deadgirl is worth a watch for anyone into horror and zombies, but be aware that it is to zombie movies what Unbreakable is to comic book films. Be patient and the payoff will come. Basically if you liked Paul Solet’s Grace, you will like Deadgirl.
Purchase Now – Help (Cool) Shite
Trailer
How do you like your girls? Dead or Alive? or some other video game franchise? Didn’t get that last joke? Feedback below and let us know!
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Both comments and pings are currently closed.
Battleship – Podcast Review
Iron Sky – Podcast Review
The Avengers – Podcast Review
Rise of the Guardians – Movie Trailer
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows – Podcast Review
After Dark – Courtney Solomon Interview
Interview with Andrew Constant about Torn – Comic Podcast
Priest – Cam Gigandet WonderCon Roundtable
Priest – Paul Bettany WonderCon Roundtable
Weird Al Yankovic – The Interview
The Amazing Spider-man – Trailer 2
TRON Uprising – Official Trailer
The Dark Knight Rises – Trailer 3
TRON: Uprising – TV Trailer
TED – Red Band Movie Trailer
This movie has been taunting me from the netflix streaming list for weeks now. I am a big fan of zombie movies, but something about this one has always made me hesitate. Now, after reading your review, I’ve gotten over the hesitation and will make a point to watch it soon. Thanks!