One Cut of the Dead (2017)

Director: Shin'ichirô Ueda
Stars: Takayuki Hamatsu, Yuzuki Akiyama, Harumi Shuhama
Runtime: 96 minutes

Synopsis: Things go badly for a hack director and film crew shooting a low-budget zombie movie in an abandoned WWII Japanese facility when they are attacked by real zombies.

Verdict: Shin'ichirô Ueda’s low-budget horror-comedy “One Cut of the Dead” may be one of the wildest zombie movies I have ever seen. It’s impossible to talk about it without spoiling the whole thing, so I’ll vaguely state my thoughts on it and urge any lover of this subgenre to check it out as soon and as blind as possible.

Benefiting from some truly impressive filmmaking tricks, the film takes a direction that caught me off guard in the best possible way. Nearly every criticism I had about it at first was turned into a strength as revelations were progressively made, all leading to a crazy final act that left me in absolute awe. Goofy musical score and slightly underwhelming second act aside, “One Cut of the Dead” understands exactly what it wants to be and achieves it in the most hilarious, unique, and bonkers way that will satisfy almost anyone who watches it as attested by its perfect Rotten Tomatoes score. It’s an immensely entertaining watch that offers something fresh while satirically recycling familiar tropes of the genre in a successful attempt to enhance its self-aware tone. Seek it out, gather some friends, and put it on, it’s well worth your time.

FINAL GRADE: 8/10