“The Returned” (2013) / Z-View
The Returned (2013)
Director: Manuel Carballo
Screenplay: Hatem Khraiche
Stars: Emily Hampshire, Kris Holden-Ried, Shawn Doyle, Claudia Bassols, Barry Flatman, Paul Anthony and Olunike Adeliyi.
Tagline: Neither Zombies Nor Humans
The Plot…
Twenty years ago a zombie virus killed nearly 100 million people around the world. A cure was discovered that held back the transformation to zombie if administered soon after the infection. A daily dose of the medicine was required to remain healthy. If even one dose was missed the person would soon become sick and transform into a zombie. For a missed dose there was no cure.
The infected people who survived thanks to the cure are called The Returned. They are required to carry documentation that identifies them as such.
Lately there have been rumors that countries are running short on the medicine required for the cure. This is creating panic and heightened tensions throughout the world. There has always been a group of people who think The Returned shouldn’t be allowed to live because of the dangers they present if they miss even a single does of the cure. These activists are using the rumors to step up their attacks on people identified as a Returned.
Kate (Hampshire) is a doctor who fears the rumor of a shortage of the cure is true. Kate has been buying vials of the cure from the black market. It’s not for her. Kate’s husband, Alex is infected. If there is a shortage of the cure, they have stockpiled enough for about a month. But what then?
Then word comes out that the rumors of a cure shortage are true. Madness and chaos reign.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The Returned is NOT your typical zombie flick. There is more psychological fear of what might happen then terror of a zombie trying to eat you. (Although that is a worry as well.)
There is a nice twist that I didn’t see coming. There is also a final scene that has a different tone (which I liked) that could have set up a sequel.
The Returned (2013) rates 4 of 5 stars