The Returned

It was the cover for this movie that initially caught my interest, as anything involving zombies does. So of course I had to give this movie a go.

And I will say, now that I have seen it, that it does bring some new energy and a whole new approach to the zombie genre. This is not your average shambling zombie movie where everyone is devoured in a galore of ghastly gore and blood. No, this is more intellectual approach to the genre.

The movie is about a strange virus that infects people with an odd disease, that if left untreated and not kept in check by a special serum, then those infected will turn into 'zombies' (in lack of a better word). However, this serum can only be extracted from a dying infected person, and as such, the amount of serum is short and time is running out for those infected.

If you enter this movie with the hopes of this being a bloody gore movie, then you will be sorely disappointed. There is very little of that, and there are no decaying, shambling zombies about to be found. But even with the lack of that (stereotypical aspect of the zombie genre), then "The Returned" turned out to be a really entertaining movie, and a nice breath of air to the genre.

Now, I assume that "The Returned" is not suitable for just anyone, but watch the movie with an open mind - pardon the pun - if you enjoy the zombie genre, because the movie is actually quite good.

The cast hired for the various roles were doing great jobs with their given roles. Especially Kris Holden-Ried who played Alex, he really carried the movie so nicely.

As for the ending of the movie, well, I personally didn't care for that particular ending, as it was stupid and sort of an insult to the entire movie that you just sat through and enjoyed. It was a shame that director Manuel Carballo went with that particular ending in my opinion.

But all in all, then "The Returned" is a well worthy addition to the zombie movie genre for its originality and different approach to the genre.

This is not a horror movie, but a thriller/suspense that addresses survival both at an individual and societal level. The plot is very well written, clever, rich in events and details, and no more predictable than strictly needed. It is entertaining, and at the same time intellectually and emotionally satisfying. Every single character is relevant, understandable, and put to good use.

All the necessary ingredients are there to deliver the story: a perfect cast, well balanced paces, impacting music, etc. The only thing I didn't like was the introductory titles, with their visually sickening spastic effects, but that's a detail really; it doesn't change my global opinion.

It's enjoyable to feel for the characters and to feel involved in a story once in a while. The Returned is a treat.

Well-made story of the politics of controlling a plague. This is a thinking man's horror movie: An allegory for HIV/AIDS and similar viral outbreaks, this virus makes its victims into zombies: They're crazed, they spread the virus through biting, and to kill them requires shooting them in the head. But zombies and their gore are rare in this movie. Rather, the focus is on potential zombies, infected people who are kept normal though daily injections. The virus isn't curable, but it is manageable, but only if society supports the victims with expensive drugs, and only as long as each victim is responsible about taking their daily dosage. These factors make the infected a time bomb, a hypothetical that becomes a more urgent reality with rumors that the drug is running out. The story is personalized by Alex and Kate, who show the battle to control the disease, the consequences of not doing so, and the societal impact on their personal lives. Unlike most zombie movies, this one does not focus on the standard action scenes of zombies swarming, eating people, and getting slaughtered with ever more creative head wounds. Nor is this a dystopian future depicting the breakdown of society from a planet overrun by the infected with a few living humans struggling to survive. Rather this horror is psychological: controlling a plague, caring for loved ones, balancing the good of the few with the needs of the many, and the desperate acts this necessitates. Well written and well acted, this is a gem in the horror genre.

The world has survived a zombie virus. A cure has been developed using the zombies. If one dose of the cure is missed, the infected called "The Returned" gets turned. In Toronto, Kate (Emily Hampshire) is a doctor working on a synthetic cure. His boyfriend Alex (Kris Holden-Ried) is one of the Returned and there are rumors of a shortage. Alex comes out to their friends Jacob (Shawn Doyle) and his wife Amber (Claudia Bassols). Eve is a nurse stealing dosages and selling them to Kate who is stockpiling the cure.

This is a different take on the zombie genre. It's almost everything except the zombies. It's an intriguing idea. It takes a little too long to get going and to get the clarifying expositions. The idea is almost more important than the thrills. It's admirable to subvert the genre but it has to bring something else in its place. I give full marks for the idea but not so much for the movie.

After a zombie outbreak, the infected people survive due to a vaccine made of the the spinal fluid of dead zombies and they are called "Returned". Dr. Kate (Emily Hampshire) works in a hospital and is responsible for the wing of Returned". There is a rumor that the vaccine is running out and Kate secretly buys vaccines from Eve (Melina Matthews), who is the responsible for the storeroom. Kate's beloved husband, the musician Alex (Kris Holden-Ried), was infected and only Kate and Alex's brother Jacob (Shawn Doyle) and his wife Amber (Claudia Bassols) knows. When the vaccine runs out, the government brings the infected people to quarantine centers while research a synthetic vaccine. However, Alex and Kate flee to Jacob's house in the countryside expecting that Alex survives until the synthetic vaccine becomes reality. But when Alex's wallet is stolen, Kate's last hope is to get some vaccines from the director of the hospital where she works. Will she succeed?

"The Returned" is among the best zombie movies with a dramatic and credible story and outstanding direction and performances. The behavior of the human beings feeling despair for the situation with beloved ones is impressive and realistic. The dark conclusion is predictable but also perfect. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Retornados" ("Returned")

Note: On 21 Aug 2020, I saw this film again.