Chrysalis is an intriguing little low budget horror that manages a different sort of twist on the traditional zombie tale...which is not such an easy feat, considering the saturation of the sub-genre these days. Discussing it, however, is essentially a spoiler- as it is only revealed in the final twist of the film.
The film basically takes place 25 years into a zombie apocalypse, which dawned on the masses in the form of a virus that was released during a string of terrorist attacks that went down simultaneously across the globe. Canned food and ammunition ran out long ago...and survivors are beginning to dwindle.
We find ourselves following a relatively young couple (which is pertinent because of how far into the aftermath we are)- Josh & Penn- who have been on their own, scavenging, for some time. They are the sole remnants of formerly larger group whom did not make it this far. They live in an old abandoned building.
Eventually another pair of people make their way into the building the young couple has been squatting. The guy get's bitten on his way in, and is forced into exile (before he turns); but they bring in the woman, and share what little food they have with her.
This woman- Ariba- tells them that she is trying to rendezvous with her group that had been forced to split up; and also recounts a story about how she was born amidst the onset of "the infection" (as they call it).
Turns out she was also bitten at one point. But her father quickly "cut out" the infected area before it spread. She still seems to be infected, though it hasn't yet turned her or made her zombie insatiable.
This is where the twist comes in...--SPOILER--...apparently she is in some way acting as a lure for the zombies- whom are drawn to her like moths to a flame. In the end, not only are they drawn to her via some sort of pheromone or something...but she also seems to be the SOURCE of the infection...or at least it's cause...as if it was divinely sanctioned for her to perish, as her survival rendered it necessary to unleash a zombie apocalypse upon the world to take her out...or something like that. Kinda hard to say, as you are left to piece together the details for yourself.
This film essentially relies on it's locations, which make perfect backdrops for 25 years into the zombie apocalypse. This allowed the whole thing to retain a polished quality on what was clearly a low budget. The acting is fair. I've seen some complaints, but I don't think they are warranted. I suppose a bit more background info on the characters could have been desired; but it was certainly not required. As the conclusion rolled around I found myself feeling quite attached to them. The gore is limited, and the action sparse, but that plays into the storyline- as they have set it up.
My only beef with this film would be that it didn't offer any explanation as to why one person's death would stave off a 25 years running zombie apocalypse. I mean, that is a bit implausible and absurd. Certainly some sort of explanation could have been tied in somehow. It would have made the ending feel less forced.
That being said, however, it's not a terrible film for what it is.
5.5 out of 10.
