Izla

The movie, in my opinion, falls short in several key aspects. The acting feels unconvincing, the direction lacks depth, and the overall execution is quite weak. The story doesn't hold much strength either, which makes it difficult to stay fully engaged. However, I did notice a few moments where the film genuinely shines - some of the punchlines are well delivered and add a bit of life to the otherwise dull narrative.

From my perspective, with more effort in performance, direction, and writing, this movie could have turned into something much more enjoyable and impactful. It also struggles to settle into a clear genre - it's neither a proper comedy nor an effective horror film. Overall, I would say it had potential, but it failed to use it effectively.

From time to time, I like to take a chance on a film that I know absolutely nothing about: occasionally I discover a gem, but most of the time the result is less than favourable. Filipino zombie horror Izla (AKA Only You) is definitely one of the worst 'blind' watches I have had in quite some time. It attempts to blend humour and horror (with a little song and dance!), but Zombieland it ain't!

The film stars Paolo Contis and Archie Alemania as brothers Badong and Entoy, who agree to ferry a group of female vloggers - the V-sisters - to a forbidden island so that they can record their latest prank video. Once on the island, the group is attacked by zombie ninjas, the result of experiments carried out by the Japanese during WWII. Sounds like a lot of fun, but it's a total failure.

Izla spends a good half an hour on inane comedy before the zombies appear - there are lame gags about big breasts, erections and diarrhoea, with a really puerile scene involving a piece of corn - and I imagine that most sane people will switch off long before the end. Those of us who persevere no matter how tough the going gets are eventually treated to some really naff zombie action, the badly made-up undead pursuing the brothers and the vloggers. I hoped that everyone would die.

During the Second World War the Japanese conducted secret experiments on an uninhabited island in the Philippines. Since then it has been dubbed 'Forbidden Island' and is out of bounds. A group of vloggers called the V-Sisters and their friends decide it would be the perfect location to make a prank video. They head to the nearest town and persuade brothers Badong and Entoy, who are in need of cash, to take them to the island. Shortly after getting there one of the girls goes missing; as the others search for her they discover that danger lurks on the island; not only is it booby-trapped there are also zombies!

If you are looking for scares, good special effects and a plot that delivers some good surprises then this won't be the film for you. While watching I couldn't help thinking it was a bit rubbish... however I also found myself laughing far more than I expected. Sure many of the gags are fairly puerile and others are there because somebody thought of something amusing without thinking a good reason to justify its presence in the film. An example of the latter is a zombie who thinks he is in a race. Given the material I thought the acting was solid enough. Overall this isn't a must see but if you enjoy slightly rubbish comedies it should provide enough laughs to justify watching; but don't bother if you are looking for scares, at no point did I find it scary.

These comments are based on watching the film in Filipino with English subtitles.

I have started watching more foreign horror films. I am a big fan of the horror genre. Foreign horror movies are usually somewhere in between a Hollywood studio horror movie and an independent American horror movie. This movie stays true to form.

It is a horror comedy which leans more into the comedy portion. Some of the comedy was a little juvenile. I likened to a similar type comedy used in Scout's Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse. If you enjoyed that movie you will enjoy this one. There are more attractive women in this film though, and less nudity.

I do not like to give spoilers, so I will stop here. See the movie. It was above average.

This movie is mediocre at best and falls short in several areas. The acting is subpar, and the random switching between Tagalog and English completely ruins the mood. What's even worse is how unexpectedly over-the-top and needlessly horny it gets-it's a far cry from the horror-themed movie I was expecting.

The zombies themselves don't make much sense either, as they randomly alternate between fast and slow or smart and dumb without any continuity. On top of that, the survivors are incredibly frustrating to watch, making irrational and downright ridiculous decisions that don't feel remotely human. The only saving grace is the somewhat interesting story and it's not completely unwatchable.

Overall: Wouldn't watch again.

Setting to Watch: To pass time during a plane or car ride.