Patient Zero
1 hour 33 minutes | Action/Drama/Horror | 2018
IMDB: After an unprecedented global pandemic turns the majority of humankind into violent “Infected,” a man gifted with the ability to speak the Infected’s new language leads the last survivors on a hunt for Patient Zero and a cure.
Review by William Marchese
WCM: Patient Zero begins during an outbreak of a rabies-like virus that has spread fast amongst the population of the earth. A group of scientists in an army installation are trying to find the one that started it all, patient zero, for a possible cure.
Morgan (played by Matt Smith) is their only hope at finding answers. After being bit and not turning, Morgan can now talk with the infected.
The main question of this story is: will the group find their patient zero and the cure?
With drama and conflict around every corner, this movie (screen play by Mike Le and directed by Stefan Ruzowitzky) keeps you on the edge of your seat. The good acting with fast paced and interesting dialogue won’t leave you bored.
The main deviation in this movie from your average zombie-type flick is the fact the main protagonist can talk the Infected’s language–who aren’t quite zombies, yet closely resemble the 28 Days Later creatures.
There are romance scenes, disputes with characters more powerful because they carry guns. Most prove not to be the textbook caricatures of what you’d expect them to be, yet keep you wondering what their ultimate motives really are.
All in all, this movie is entertaining and action packed.
There are a few cringe worthy moments, but they happen fast and don’t detract from the story too much.
And the movie goes fast. Almost too fast.
Then, maybe I’m used to watching series.
I noticed maybe two or three parts when you could have said, “oh, come on,” but like the cringe moments mentioned before, they happen fast and explain themselves with brief actions. Nothing is too unbelievable.
The ending lost me a bit, but it’s literally the very ending. The story went from realism, to maybe-gimmick, to epic and finally to graphic novel. It was good, but the ending didn’t seem fitting.
But maybe I’m picky.
The movie ties up well and answers the story question, not as definitively as I had wanted, but it is in there. The problem is it opens up new questions. Ugh.
All in all, I recommend this movie for a great new take on zombies and action-packed entertainment.
The movie seems it would be better in a series perhaps on AMC or such. Or maybe that’s just me digging badass series.
Sort of a spoiler here a about sequel or not. Don’t read if you don’t want to know.
I think the movie leaves room for a sequel, which may not be a bad thing. It ends at a point where part two would be able to pick right up from.
You can watch this movie on Amazon, YouTube, iTunes and other VOD platforms.
-WCM
About William Marchese
William works “the day job” in lower Manhattan, foraging free time to kick start his writing career. He has been published in Hindered Souls Anthology, Deadman’s Tome, Unnerving Magazine Issue 3 and Trickster’s Treats anthology. He is a member of the Horror Writers Association. You can follow him on Twitter here: @Wcmarchese
