The opening few minutes of Alive are some of its most harrowing as a school teacher is forced to read a pamphlet about the ongoing sanitary crisis which is spreading like wildfire through the population. The infected are to report to the local containment centers where they will be treated in a most humane way. Yeah, right. The outbreak is not contained yet the world spins on.
From education to job sites, those who aren’t infected must live on. Yes, it is a grim world in which Alive takes place, but this atmosphere and how it is handled by the team behind the lens of the camera is damn effective in presenting an atmosphere where paranoia runs amuck as one young woman finds out that she can not conceive.
Perhaps, as her doctor says, it is for the best. It does seem like the last days have descended upon this corner of the world and, thanks to the talent assembled here, it is met with mood and alarming situations as humanity struggles to find footing amongst the infected.
From writer/director David Marantz, and featuring an electric cast headed up by Ellen Hillman, Kian Pritchard, and Neil Scheffield, Alive is, rather thankfully, a character-driven narrative set against one of the strangest plagues known to man. It is low budget but works tirelessly to put its audience right smack in the thick of it as strong paranoia thrives, humans become monsters who never stop hungering for more blood, and a few survivors must learn how to trust again.
Everything is shattered as Helen navigates a ravaged world with her boyfriend Kevin and her little brother Barney. Desperate to find help after Barney's infection slowly turns him into a zombie, they come upon a house where a man lives, harboring a heavy secret.
As I mentioned, there are a lot of characters sprinkled throughout and you just pay attention for some of the arcs to pay off. This is a good use of drama and the results include solid story structure and multiple characters all descending upon - or at least hoping for - a safer place to rest their head.
But Alive makes it clear that these survivors must not rest for too long or else! Beware of infection! Alive has arrived!
MPAA Rating: PG-13.
Runtime:
Director: David Marantz
Writer: David Marantz
Cast: Ellen Hillman; Kian Pritchard; Neil Sheffield
Genre: Horror
Tagline:
Memorable Movie Quote: "Let us pray together, my brothers and sisters"
Distributor: Gravitas Ventures
Official Site:
Release Date: JANUARY 31, 2023
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:
Synopsis: Helen navigates a ravaged world with her boyfriend Kevin and her little brother Barney. Desperate to find help after Barney's infection slowly turns him into a zombie, they come upon a house where lives Dan, a man harboring a heavy secret.
