Mutants

A french horror movie that plays more like a psychological horror than a full on horror movie. The director made a short, that is setting up the mood for this film. He even uses one actor from the short and if I'm not completely mistaken, you could say, that it continues exactly where the short movie stopped/ended.

As a psychological film it really works. It doesn't have that much scares though and it might not be bloody enough for some people. While it's not pitch perfect, it's a nice watch. So if you want a horror movie with a little brain (no pun intended), then you can certainly give this a try.

A virus has transformed the majority of humans into zombie-like creatures. An unlikely group tries to fight for survival in a military base.

Despite the recent influx of zombie and virus films from various countries, including France with the entertaining 'Le Horde,' here's another French take. 'Mutants,' refreshingly, stands in contrast to its counterparts as it takes a serious tone with the subject matter, expertly filmed by director David Morlet.

The film boasts impressive sets, cinematography, and art direction. It features cold, eerie lighting, desolate bunkers, and well-executed gore effects, all against the backdrop of a snowy wintertime setting.

Many scenes are filled with tension, enhanced by a pervasive sense of claustrophobia for added horror. While the sound design for the infected may be considered excessive, the acting is top-notch, with Helene de Frougerolles (bearing a resemblance to Asia Argento) carrying the film. In Louis-Paul Desanges and David Morlet's screenplay, everything is portrayed realistically, lending a gritty edge to the narrative.

There is, unfortunately, an excessive use of shaky camera work, a characteristic often associated with zombie and virus films. Calls for help on the radio, fortified bunkers, machetes, guns, human betrayal, love, and loss-all the clichés are present but handled with realism. Combined with the naturalistic acting and a chillingly crafted score, 'Mutants' manages to stand out in the oversaturated genre.

Aside from the '28 Days Later' rage-like infected, the film features a well-balanced, simmering survival element infused with emotion, creating a captivating atmosphere and continuous action. Although devoid of humor, it remains bloody and dramatically entertaining.

Sonia (a nurse/doctor) and her husband Marco have survived a mutation outbreak and are now on the run. Finding a place to take refuge, Marco gets infected with some contaminated blood, and is desperate to find a cue. As the infection takes days to mutate, Sonia is in a desperate race against time to help the love of her life, and ultimately face up to the possibility that she may lose him.

We have all had our fair share of standard Zombie/Infected films. Everybody seems to want to be the next George A. Romero, and unfortunately its a case of "seen one, seen them all". Then comes along David Morlet's "Mutants". A film about an apocalyptic outbreak, with plenty of flesh eating mutants, but this film serves so much more of a purpose than others that have come before it. To me, the story of the apocalypse was a side story, as the real focus was on the controversial use of "Euthanasia" ... such a debate has been raging over this topic, and the subtle way that David Morlet uses this topic, was superb. Is it OK to end the life of someone who has no more quality in theirs? Is it OK to put someone to sleep, forever? The question is constantly asked throughout the duration of the film, and shows the impact and heartbreak that even the thought can produce. The fact that this infection takes days to mutate and not instant, gives the viewer a false sense of a positive outcome. It shows that sometimes hope can be cruel, and we go along with the two characters, as things just go from bad to worse. Combining this strong psychological element with superb, isolated, cinematography, a strong soundtrack, above average acting, with gore and blood to add, this movie stands out as a very unique addition, to a very tired sub genre. Highly impressive!

When a deadly virus spreads out through France in the summertime, the great part of the population is mow down. The last hope of the survivors is the military station called Noah, a hidden sanctuary where scientists are researching the cure. Dr. Sonia (Hélène de Fougerolles), her beloved boyfriend Marco (Francis Renaud) and the military Perez (Marie-Sohna Conde) seek Noah driving an ambulance in a lonely road through the woods, but they run out of gas. There is an incident with a zombie with a shootout and Perez dies and Marco is hit in the stomach and contaminated by the zombie's blood. Sonia heads to an apartment complex and she lodges with Marco in the desert place; while healing his wound, Sonia tries to contact Noah. But sooner Sonia finds out that the location is indeed inhabited and she is in danger.

"Mutants" has the same premise of most of zombie movies, i.e., an outbreak of a virus that transforms most of the population into zombies. However, the difference in this gore movie is the dramatic plot with the love and fear of Sonia for Marco, and the claustrophobic situation that the lead actress is involved. Further, the high-level of the performances of Hélène de Fougerolles and Francis Renaud also make the difference, unusual in the horror genre. The awesome landscape with snow and the make-up are also stunning. The conclusion is a cliché for a possible sequel. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Mutações" ("Mutations")

I'm gonna call this a good zombie film. Yes, it's a virus but the results are the pretty much the same, sick people who wanna eat ya. Lots of blood in this film but what makes it special is the romance. Marco has neither looks nor personality but his gal stands by him (almost) to the end. It's a gross, fun film with lots of snow (if ya like snow you're gonna love this movie) and I found it highly entertaining. Great art? No. Much fun? Yes.

Now, if you love snow but want more than just entertainment, if ya want a little art, Let The Right One In, is a must see film. Some blood, romance too and a great take on Renfield.