MadS (2024) 'Shudder' Movie Review: A Relentlessly Cynical Techno-Zombie Thriller (2024)

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It does not take much time to see what director David Moreau intends to do with his maddeningly zesty zombie thriller “MadS.” The film, released on Shudder, provides a detailed exploration of a viral outbreak, from the eyes of the patient zero. It is relentless when it comes to escalating the situation, and quite cool when it comes to depicting it. Moreau’s one-take experiment in the film elevates the nauseating tension as the camera only leaves one despicable situation for a more deteriorating one.

The opening title scene where our drugged-up protagonist, Romain (Milton Riche), drives a sports car toward, and later through, the letters “MADS,” establishes the visual style that director Moreau has in his mind. As the camera continues to follow Romain through his nightmarish ordeal, it becomes apparent Moreau has opted for one of filmmaking’s notorious but engrossing gimmicks. The craft of telling a story in one take, or in most cases, hiding the cuts well enough to give the impression that the film is a single shot. Alfred Hitchcock did that in his dramatic thriller “Rope.” And filmmakers have been playing with that fire ever since.

In Moreau’s defense, the story provides him a great chance to practice his craft in this particular filmmaking technique. After ‘scoring’ a new drug, Roman tastes it and rushes to his home for his birthday party. On the way, he is stopped by an unbalanced and heavily bandaged girl. Like a good citizen, Romain tries to take her to the hospital, but she stabs herself. The catastrophic turn of events sets the tone of the film. Half suspecting the entire experience as a bad trip, Romain tries to brush it off. However, it soon becomes clear to him that it is not something he is hallucinating.

Accompanied by his girlfriend Ana (Laurie Pavy), Romain goes to the rave party that is being held in his honor. We meet Ana’s best friend, Julia (Lucille Guillaume) there, and one quick scene confirms Romain is having an affair with Julia. So much so that Julia became pregnant. However, the relationship troubles take the backseat as Romain starts to show weird symptoms. His eyes catch an unearthly raving gleam. His mechanical twitches and unwarranted aggression confirm the changes in him. Things escalate as Romain gets the notification from his alarm company that someone has been spotted in his house. That someone is the stabbing girl Romain has encountered.

MadS (2024) 'Shudder' Movie Review: A Relentlessly Cynical Techno-Zombie Thriller (1)

Without delving further, lest I spoil the story, it can be said that the one-take treatment makes the entire hellish descent into madness soak in hyper-realism. The lack of cuts punctuates the lack of respite. The story also teases the possibility of this being a drug-induced bad trip initially. But around midway, it becomes clear what this is — Zombie apocalypse. Romain’s transformation and his party becoming a super-spreader event is well documented by the uncut approach. It also allows the film to change its protagonist after an hour or so in a smooth fashion.

Yeah, “MadS” changes its central POV (point-of-view) character from Romain to Ana, and then Ana to Julia. The transition is craftily done and each protagonist serves their purpose. Riche’s Romain starts it all and he explores the disbelief, paranoia, and downright fear, in that order. The major portion of screentime is dedicated to Romain, so Riche’s earnest outing sets it up for Pavy’s Ana to take over. If Romain is ambiguous and confused, Ana is thoroughly embracing the Zombie rising. Pavy explores the full potential of the techno-zombies of “MadS.” She brings the psychotic and the downright unhinged. Then, for the final few minutes, Julia takes over the mantle. And it is such a wise choice.

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Guillaume’s Julia is the last hope. With her gut-wrenching efforts to avoid the infection and to stay alive, Julia becomes despair-filled amidst the chaotic descent. Moreau’s “MadS” becomes a nihilistic nightmare of a depiction of rapid societal breakdown within two hours. The one-take approach makes the experience pulsating, as well as saddening. “MadS” takes the oh-so-familiar story of the origin of a zombie outbreak, and makes it cleverly different, with a familiar but well-executed filmmaking craft and earnest performances. One could do a lot worse this Halloween season.

Read More: MadS (2024) Movie Ending Explained: What Awaits Ana, Julia, and Romain at the End of the Night?

MadS (2024) Movie Links:IMDb,Rotten Tomatoes,Letterboxd
The Cast of MadS (2024) Movie: Lucille Guillaume, Milton Riche, Laurie Pavy, Lewkowski Yovel
MadS (2024) Movie Runtime: 1h 28m, Genre: Horror/Mystery & Thriller
Where to watch MadS

MadS (2024) 'Shudder' Movie Review: A Relentlessly Cynical Techno-Zombie Thriller (2)

Suvo Pyne

Middle of Nowhere, Nadir of Hope; Top of exertion.

MadS (2024) 'Shudder' Movie Review: A Relentlessly Cynical Techno-Zombie Thriller (2024)
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