The Cured
2017
Director: David Freyne
Stars: Ellen Page, Sam Keeley, Tom Vaughan-Lawlor
Reviewed by Brian M. Sammons
If you’re going to make a zombie movie today you had better do something new and/or unique with it. Well, Ireland’s The Cured from 2017 does both. Yes, there are traces of the UK show In the Flesh in this, but it does enough differently to still warrant that statement. It’s also just a plain ol’ good movie. But don’t take my word for it, take these other words for it. So without further ado let’s get into this new Blu-ray from Scream Factory.
In this movie, a horrible 28 Days Later-like rage virus has ravaged Ireland, turning people into cannibalistic murder machines. Thankfully someone invented a cure that restored 75 percent of these “zombies” back to normal humans. Now these cured, as they are called, have to try to fit back into a society that fear and outright hate them. I mean, a lot of people lost loved ones to these very people before they were cured, how forgiving would you be? Oh, and as an extra kicker, the cured remember ever single thing they did as a cannibalistic rage killer. Yeah, that includes munching on family, friends, and neighbors. Naturally this forced reintegration is going to have one or two “slight” hiccups along the way.
This isn’t your Romero-type zombie flick, but there is enough heart and brains here to have kept my eyes on the screen. Not to mention another Romero mainstay: social commentary. Look, I don’t want to get too political, god knows there’s enough of that on the internet today, but the messages here, while relevant and those I agree with, are not exactly hidden. While they don’t beat you over the head as most of the points in the later of the Dead films, some viewers may have a problem with that, so consider this a warning. However, don’t consider that a condemnation as I highly suggest everyone give this a watch. It is well-shot, directed, written, and acted with Ellen Page reminding everyone what a good actor she can be. She also pulls double duty on here being one of the producers of the film.
On to the extras and special features Scream Factory and IFC Midnight has given us with this new Blu-ray release. There is a behind-the-scenes featurette that is six minutes long and there is a theatrical trailer. And that’s it. So yeah, not much to crow about here and that’s a shame as this movie deserved more love.
The Cured starts where some other zombie movies end: what happens when the zombie plague is cured. It is also not as action-packed or gorerrific as other zombie movies. But on average it is also smarter, better made, and has something to say. So those wanting a fast, fun zombie romp should look elsewhere. Those looking for just a good film should give The Cured a try. I highly recommend it.
