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This week Among the Living is released on demand and once again this particular movie gives audiences new entertainment in the form of a zombie survival film while providing impressive performances and some innovative ideas.
I think I can probably say that I am least unwilling to watch new zombie movies even when all of them start to step on the same concepts. But there is something about them that pulls me back to watching them. And so, I was keen to watch how Among the Living (which should not be confused with a movie with the same title that came out in 2014) would treat the subject and how Dread’s latest production would handle it yeah.
The end result is a mixed bag, but one that is clearly much more stimulating than expected. But the story, if let’s say the filmmakers don’t spoon-feed zombie flick viewers would be quite straightforward. It is set, I think, just after a cataclysmic outbreak where most of the population has turned into bloodthirsty monsters. A brother and sister, Harry (Dean Michael Gregory) and Lily (Melissa Worsey) embark on a journey into the countryside in search of safety and possibly to reconnect with their father. In doing so, they have to try to stay one step ahead of the infected and other survivors who intend them harm.
Among the Living is a clear depiction of a world where a zombie outbreak has previously happened. While filming a zombie movie, many directors focus on the global panic during the first week after the outbreak. However, in this film, we see a different side. The timeline is placed further along the outbreak, however, it is not far enough in the future where the characters are at peace and calm in adjusting to the world. This middle ground is something that has not been showcased in many films, where the people still need to learn how to adapt to survive in the new world, however, do not panic.
This form of storytelling makes this film stand out among the vast amount of zombie films available. Once the viewer is accustomed to how the new world works, their emotions become easy to empathize with. By doing this, the film is able to establish a strong bond with the readers, capturing their attention and keeping them engaged.
I particularly found their interpretation of zombies and their operating rules interesting. These ‘zombies’ possess unique characteristics that distinguish them from other traditional forms. Unlike normal zombies, these zombies are light-sensitive and fast runners. The main aspect that separates them from the traditional form is their attraction towards blood rather than random humans.
They have a bit of a difference which offers a refreshing change of pace, but my focus is primarily on how beautifully the film executed these ideas. There’s no big exposition dump or even use of a voice-over narration where there is, but not under this contextual frame where one attempts to explain the world, along with its monsters, exist. Rather it is something that you can piece together based on the reactions of the characters and how they respond to certain things.
Without revealing too much, let me give you a few quick examples. There is a scene where Harry drives off one of the infected by using a flashlight and there is another at the beginning where even casual cuts are taken too seriously such as having it taped so heavily to block any leakage from seeping out. Much like sharks, these infected will come rushing when they smell fresh blood, and it is incorporated in some amazing ways throughout the film, which I can’t reveal at this moment.
This is more clever world-building than we tend to see in these types of zombie films. In most cases, the film expects that the audience is aware of the basics of the zombies and infected, or they have a specific character explain it to them. The director does it in a few other ways as well, though, it made for a nice bit of visual storytelling.
Anyways, during their travel, Lily manages to injure herself due to a booby trap, and they are left with no option but to take shelter with an elder man, Karl (George Newton), and a child, Tom (Leon Worsey). In comparison with their previous travels, staying in the cabin while Lilly recuperates (and getting to mess around with a kid of her age) is heavenly. But there is something off about Karl.
To be honest, I cannot continue explaining the main part of the story. If you are interested in watching, I don’t want to ruin anything, but this also kinda gets down to my biggest concern with the movie overall there is simply no story.
While the film begins with a focus on their father’s home, that doesn’t appear to be the main agenda of the movie. Instead, Among the Living seems to be more like a slice-of-life narrative set in a zombie universe. Karl, a new potential danger serves to add some conflict, but the way that it is constructed makes it evident that’s not the main plot of the film either.
There is barely what can be described as a plot, but more of a theme about Harry having to adapt and learn to survive in this new world. There are some ethical dilemmas that he has to contend with, which are particular to the setting of this world, and it is illustrated as a battle in which a person is still trying to be a good person whilst taking care to do what is necessary to protect his sister. In this regard, the film is more of a drama than an action-packed zombie flick (action scenes and even gore are rather subdued).
Now that it has been said, it is, indeed unique albeit with a different feel to it. But still, all this takes place in pretty mundane life sequences that do not contribute to a larger narrative.
I do not mean to imply that the movie was boring. I remember each character and how this world was made, which helped create significant tension even in the absence of zombie action. Still, when the credits began rolling, I had this feeling that something was missing; maybe a more complete resolution could have been nice. Overall, I feel like the story leaves a lot of characters exactly where they started. Pretty much like the rest of the characters were left.
Maybe I am the only one with this opinion. To be honest, I’ve never bothered with slice-of-life stories and always welcome a more developed central plot. Therefore, Among the Living is a bit of everything because I found great pleasure in the world-building as well as in the characters and even in the ways certain parts forced me to think and evaluate. But the absence of a main plot focus and any major zombie action sequences would make it more difficult for some probably.
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