The Horror Show
The Returned
by Billy Wayne Martin
Occasionally, while browsing Netflix’s horror category, I’ll find a movie that seems somewhat interesting. After watching said movie, I’ll question if it really was a horror movie. Sometimes action, drama, or thriller films will incorporate horror elements. Horror movies are supposed to create a sense of dread, terror, or fear. When my heart is racing because of explosions or something similar, it’s not a horror movie. The Underworld franchise, for example, is an action series about werewolves and vampires. I, personally, don’t consider these to be horror films. Others will think, “Supernatural creatures equal horror movies.” That leads to movies on Netflix being incorrectly categorized. That’s why I watched The Returned, a “horror” film about zombies.
”The Returned” is set in an alternate universe in which there was a zombie epidemic in the 80’s. Many lives were lost but it wasn’t without hope. The infected were used to manufacture a cure. The cure is not a be-all and end-all fix. Those saved from the infection, dubbed “The Returned,” must take their medication each day otherwise they succumb to the disease. Kate and Alex are married; she is a doctor who specializes in aiding the returned and Alex became one sometime prior to the events of the movie. The cure is running in short supply since there are fewer zombies around to extract the necessary proteins and once someone turns there is no saving them. There are others who live in fear of the returned; they see them as ticking time bombs. The fear drives people to want to isolate or even murder those infected. There is one small beacon of hope; a synthetic cure is being developed. Unfortunately, there hasn’t been much success in the field yet. Alex and Kate begin to stockpile the cure and hope they have enough till the synthetic one is completed.
Even though this isn’t a horror film, in my definition; it was still a good movie. I like this movie because unlike others it was trying to make a point. This movie was clearly an allegory for HIV. In the movie, a potential investor for the synthetic cure suggests to instead create concentration camps for the returned. I’ve heard similar arguments from people who are afraid of those with HIV. The zombie outbreak first occurred in the 80’s. HIV was also first discovered in the 80’s. When HIV was first discovered it was believed to be a death sentence. However, with treatments available today a person can live just as long as someone with out it. Those with HIV have returned from what used to be certain death. The returned must also take their medication for the rest of their lives, like their real-world counterpart, to ensure their continued survival. The best part is that movie doesn’t try to hit you in the face with allegory. I think it was nice and subtle. If you get it then great job, if you missed it I’m sure you still enjoyed the ride.
I really don’t know how I can tiptoe around this. So, spoiler alert, I’m going to talk about the ending in this paragraph. If you haven’t skipped down and haven’t seen the movie, don’t let this stop you; the ending is depressing as hell. Kate and Alex have officially lost their cure stockpile including the one gifted to Kate from the hospital. Alex is beginning to turn and he makes his wife promise, that when he does, to shoot him. She complies with his final wishes. At her car, her friend from the hospital confronts her and tells her that the cure has been successfully synthesized. She completely breaks down. Not since The Mist have I been so depressed by a movie ending. It was quite similar actually. In both movies, the characters have lost all hope and decide to spare their loved ones, only to find out salvation was just around the corner. My complaint isn’t that the ending was depressing but that it was essentially the same from aforementioned movie. I’m not saying they tried to rip-off The Mist, it was probably unintentional. On the other hand, it could’ve been intentional and stayed in as homage to The Mist. I’m willing to forgive the creators either way. I think the rest of the movie more than made up for the ending.
This is a movie I wanted to hate, and that’s not fair to it. The movie did nothing wrong, it was just mislabeled as a horror movie. It’s more of a drama thriller with horror elements. About halfway through, I was really grumpy about the whole thing. When I realized how much work went into building this world, my mind was changed. It’s so much more work to make a movie about something. I really can’t say I have much to complain about this time. I think this movie documents very well how people react in crisis situations. Family will screw each other over to further their own survival. People will also be willing to steal or kill, anything it takes. There is little to no focus on the actual zombies. It deals more with the threat of becoming one. Overall, I was incredibly impressed. If I knew this wasn’t actually a horror movie, I would’ve passed for the purpose of reviewing. I don’t regret watching this. Just be aware this isn’t a true horror film if you’re looking for scares. The plot also focuses on the returned rather than the zombies. Those are the only things you should really look out for. If you have Netflix give it a go!
Billy Wayne Martin, HMS
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