Alice Jacobs Is Dead

It is not exactly a zombie film but the story of a couple. A family, the effort to discover the cure, a twist as result of well use of Dracula and a too simple solution for the end. But, in essence, an inspired perspective about life of middle age couple, love and instinct. And that, in this case, represents more than a simple virtue.

Zombie stories are so overabundant as to largely be very overdone. Unless there's a specific reason one catches my eye, I tend to pass. I'm truly pleased that 'Alice Jacobs is dead' represents a take on the genre that feels fresh and new.

First of all, it's a joy to see Adrienne Barbeau here. Her best known roles tend to be more action-orientated, or bent toward scream queen thrills, and this is decidedly different. Alice is a woman struggling with what she represents, and with the secrecy it requires. While the part does allow Barbeau a gleeful opportunity to chew scenery, mostly it demands nuance and emotional weight that she hasn't often gotten to demonstrate - and it's clear she's a very capable actress.

This is hardly to discount John Lazar's performance as Ben. Given more time on screen, or at least more lines, Lazar plays his scientist with a tired determination and a trace of dogged hope. This is generally a very low-key, subdued short, and that tenor is represented foremost in Lazar's protagonist.

This is much less a tale of horror than it is of drama. It's a simple story being told here, but the background information - a measure of world-building - is gratifying, and similarly unique in its flavor. 'Alice Jacobs' presents what feels like a very scientific, realist, plausible - and somber - approach to how an impactful global event such as this would truly play out. There are minor thrills in the progression of the narrative, and gravity in the themes. Technical considerations are quite fine, if unremarkable, and work toward cementing the dire, somewhat sorrowful mood, and bolstering the already impressive hardiness of the story. Honestly, it's just altogether highly satisfying.

And what garnishes of blood and gore we do see? Well of course they look great!

Filmmaker Alex Horwitz has concocted a delightful, engaging horror short that exhibits a tired trope in a gratifyingly refreshing light. I'd quite like to see him write or direct more fiction films - just as I'd love to see Barbeau in more roles that let her explore more sides of herself. For the strength of its storytelling, the general excellence of its craft, and those welcome uncommon aspects, I love 'Alice Jacobs is dead,' and give it my enthusiastic recommendation.

Plot

Dr. Ben Jacobs saved the world. The drug he created allowed mankind to fight back against the Z-virus, which nearly destroyed civilization entirely. Now, in the aftermath of the crisis, he's trying to cure the last victims of the virus. But what will happen when he brings his mysterious work home?

Cast Our leads are John Lazar who I'd consider best known for Russ Meyer movies and legendary actress Adrienne Barbeau who you'd recognize from the likes of Escape from New York, Creepshow, The Fog and more.

Verdict

Okay fine zombie love stories aren't that rare, I can rattle a few off including Zombie Honeymoon and Anna and the Apocalypse but it's still an entertaining little sub-genre.

Here we have a scientist working on the zombie vaccine who has hidden his infected wife at home. She's not turned thanks to his injections but she's getting gradually worse and her very existence is a threat to civilization!

In very much a "What would you do?" scenario our leading man walks a fine line between loving husband and irrational selfish scientist in what I would argue could well have been a feature film.

Our cast do a great job but perhaps this should have been a feature film as its biggest weakness is that the story was simply too grand for its 21 minute run time.

Certainly worth a watch but it'll likely leave you wishing there had been more.

Rants

So what would you do? I'd like to think I'd do the right thing which is put the world over my wife and know that if she got out it could kickstart a zombie apocalypse! In reality, I fear I'd do exactly the same thing because love is a more powerful force than rational thinking.

The Good

• Great concept
• Excellent talking points
• Solid cast

The Bad.

• Needed to be longer to do it justice.

!!! SUGGESTIVE SPOILERS !!! In the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse ( Yes another one ) where a cure has been found for the zombie virus a scientist called Ben Jacobs goes home to his wife who has been infected and worries that she may develop the full blown zombie disease

Obviously zombie apocalypses are popular with short film makers and it's easy to see why due to their easy production needs . You don't have to spend a fortune on elaborate make up etc . I can't help thinking that zombies a bit overused though . To be frank ALICE JACOBS IS DEAD doesn't necessarily have to use the tired cliché of human beings turn in to infected/undead and could have worked just as well with a virus that kills its victims stone dead . I can see what writer director Alex Horwitz is trying to do and it reminded me a little of another zombie short called CARGO where the human elements are very much to the fore . At the heart of the story is the present continuous love affair of Ben and Alice Jacobs a couple in late middle age . It's very much a human drama that doesn't rely on shock jump scares . The pace is very sedate which is by no means a criticism and the musical score is noticeable without ever becoming manipulative and intrusive and does have a lot of appeal to fans of short films and indie cinema . If there's a flaw in the ointment then it's to do with a pivotal scene at the end that relies far too much on violence and gore which seems included simply to appeal to the hardcore zombie fans which is a pity because it jars with the very understated nature of the majority of the film