The Sadness

If you've not heard yet, the movie is quite infamous. Because it goes places (especially visually) that may be a bit too much for some viewers. As others surely have pointed out, the idea is not new. And you won't really see too much of a story here. Actually you may wonder if what we learn from the relationship that our two leads have, was in any way essential or necessary.

But before the mayhem begins, it is always nice to have some ... well quiet time. Also the beginning clearly is a statement - to all the conspiracy theories and to how the world has gone mad. Quite a few stabs at things going wrong - politically but also socially speaking.

That is not the only thing you get though. Apart from the overall plot being lifted from something like The Crazies by Romero, you also have homages to a lot of other scenes from many different movies. Irreversible, Night of the Living Dead, Serbian Film and so forth ... I reckon a second viewing would reveal even more to me.

As it is, this is no holds barred, mostly practical effects violent splatter fest ... take it or leave, just don't judge for something it isn't.

This is a hot one right now. It promises violence and definitely delivers on that front. Some, however, are praising it for its commentary on the COVID pandemic but I found its messages to be pretty thin. I think there was potential for a profound allegory but it merely toys at one here and there and then remembers what it is - a nihilistic gorefest. I will say it has great production value and some very memorable shots. It will appease the twisted side of the hardcore horror fan - it superficially prioritizes shock value and I suppose it's worth a viewing out of pure curiosity. In the end though, I didn't find it to be too special in the grand scheme of zombie/Crazies-type films.

After a slow introduction, this film soon becomes one of the most nightmarish horror experiences and you will surely be left with the most bitter taste ever.

Up to you whether this is a bad or good thing!

What is the human without constraints? A monster.. In "the sadness" a virus mutation transforms the infected! - this has nothing to do with zombies, nothing at all - into such unregulated creatures.

For fans of "the crossed" from Garth Ennis, this will be quite known territory. Although where Crossed can show this happening at a broader scale "the sadness" always seems quite limited. Even though there are a few nice Splatter scenes and especially the beginning is quite atmospheric, the more the movie nears it´s -predictable- ending, the less is actually happening.

Six points for the bravery to actually try this kind of stuff. Could have been much better though.

Yes, this is exactly the best way to describe it.

I don't know if the director intentionally aimed to weave deep psychological themes into the film, or if it was just to make a name.

But I do know that the film carries a heavy tension between ethics and human desire throughout.

It's a film with little unnecessary dialogue-almost 90% of the conversations have meaning, delivering the film's core message.

In the most colloquial terms, the film's theme can be summed up as: "They're aware, but the pleasure feels inevitable-as if you're telling them not to blink."

A film that reflects the endlessness of human desire.

A film that acts like a warning.

A film that says the only thing keeping us from total collapse is that thin thread of awareness about ethics.

One of the most interesting and heartbreaking aspects is that it's not a virus that turns you into someone else, or a zombie, or anything like that.

It's still you-completely you-who transforms from a victim into a full-blown maniac with no boundaries or rules.

And in the final scene, where the director builds the story's climax in the very last moments, when even the protagonist is not spared from the madness, and the tears and pain turn into tears of twisted pleasure- you hope for a happy ending, but the director keeps you suspended in a surreal state at every moment- a surrealism rooted in realism.