Pretty Dead combines found-footage and
zombies. That summary probably sets alarm bells ringing for most, since a) both
subgenres are over-saturated, and b) Diary
of the Dead already got there a long
time ago (and was not especially inspiring). Now, set those worries aside
because there is life in the old corpse yet. Pretty Dead uses both tropes to great effect. The found footage
element lends credibility to the realistic, scientifically plausible zombie narrative.
The latter is the film’s trump-card. Pretty
Dead is an invigorating take on the zombie movie. The narrative documents
24 year old Regina, who believes she is gradually transforming into one of the
undead. Her self-diagnosis is tempered by a medical examiner’s more plausible
explanation that Regina is suffering from Coutard’s syndrome. Those conflicting
viewpoints impel the narrative forward. Being a transition-narrative, Pretty Dead will no doubt draw
comparisons to I, Zombie: The Chronicles
of Pain, although Pretty Dead is its
own beast (and is also a more rewarding experience for my money). Pretty Dead benefits from strong central
performances and great chemistry between Carly Oates and Ryan Shogren. Although
it is not perfect – the film’s restricted budget occasionally shows, for example
– Pretty Dead is an intriguing debut
from writer/director team Joe Cook and Ben Wilkins, who have created a
genuinely interesting and refreshing film on limited resources. Well worth
watching.
