PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Although I love the classic zombie stories, it’s definitely not my favorite subgenre, and I’ve grown tired of the same old, undead stuff. When I first heard about IFC Films’ new sci-fi horror flick, The Cured, I was a bit hesitant… that is, until I saw who was in it. The film was written and directed by David Freyne. It stars Ellen Page, Sam Keeley, Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, and Paula Malcomson. Was this enough to carry me through this tired subgenre?
The Cured
Official Synopsis for The Cured:
What happens when the undead return to life? In a world ravaged for years by a virus that turns the infected into zombie-like cannibals, a cure is at last found and the wrenching process of reintegrating the survivors back into society begins. Among the formerly afflicted is Senan (Keeley), a young man haunted by the horrific acts he committed while infected. Welcomed back into the family of his widowed sister-in-law (Page), Senan attempts to restart his life—but is society ready to forgive him and those like him? Or will fear and prejudice once again tear the world apart?
Although The Cured is very slowly paced, it delivers a brilliantly unique outlook on what the world would look like if scientists found a cure after a zombie outbreak. It’s a side I’ve never even thought about, and it was truly astonishing, even heartbreaking, to watch, not only for the people who have been cured but for their families as well. How does one adjust after going through an experience like that? Let’s just say, it’s not easy.
The characters are what drive the story. All of the performances were exceptional. I’ve been a huge fan of Ellen Page ever since seeing Hard Candy and Juno, and her talent just keeps growing. There’s a moment where she screams, “Get the fuck out!” and it actually shook me – I could feel her intensity all through my body. Sam Keeley’s performance was fascinating to watch as he tried to readjust to his old life yet memories of his bloodthirsty cannibalism continued to haunt him like a recurring nightmare. This is PTSD like you’ve never seen before. I also have to mention how perfect Tom Vaughan-Lawlor is at playing a slimy villain. He’s the worse kind of bad guy, one who pretends to be your friend so he can use you and make you feel like you owe him something in his own time of need.
For a zombie film, there’s not a whole lot of violence or blood until the end, and even then, it’s not much. That’s because The Cured is not about that. It’s an emotionally driven story on what it feels like to be an outsider, and how difficult it can be to fit in no matter how hard you try. Sometimes things never change.
Last but not least, the ending left me wanting more – so much more. I would love for there to be a sequel that shows what happens next, but for now, that is just wishful thinking. You’ll see what I mean after you watch it.
Final Thoughts on The Cured:
It took awhile for the story to develop, but once it got going, I enjoyed The Cured. These types of films are not always a fan favorite, but there’s usually a group of people they appeal to, like with the films The Witch or It Comes At Night. It’s about substance and quality storytelling over anything else. If you love zombie films, you should appreciate this different outlook on them, as well as the strong, character-driven roles. The Cured will be released in theaters as well as On Demand on February 23. Be sure to check it out!
