In a kind of cool twist of fate, Skellie and I got a chance to view an advanced screener of a soon-to-be-released horror film called Epidemic in exchange for a review.
I say “cool twist of fate” because Skellie (or I) don’t get offers like these often and he was pretty stoked.
Anyway, Epidemic will release onto VOD/DVD September 4th.
What’s It About?
I agreed to watch without knowing anything other than:
- It was a viral outbreak horror feature
- It was shot entirely in Philadelphia
- A virus escapes containment and unleashes something nightmarish…and hungry.
Here’s the official synopsis:
A deadly pathogen is unleashed and unknowingly carried to Dana’s Overbeck’s 30th birthday party, where her estranged father, Rufus, is coming to make amends. What begins as a family drama soon escalates to a horrific turning point as the epidemic spreads and Rufus fights to save his daughter’s life.
Worth the Watch?
Well, since it was complimentary in exchange for a review, yes. It was worth the watch.
However, I tried to keep an open-mind as I viewed it and not let myself be tainted.
I asked myself, “If I streamed this, how would I really feel?”
Here’s my honest assessment:
Caution: Spoiler alerts ahead!
The Pros
- Great, super atmospheric opening credit music.
- Good writing.
- Good acting. (For the most part. There were a couple spots where it’s a little shaky, but overall, they all did their jobs well.)
- Great makeup.
- Couple good jump scares.
- Good cinematography.
- Decent, well-paced story line that starts out in one place, jumps back in time, but loops you back to the beginning with purpose. Yet…the story line also factors into my cons.
- It was about a virus that infects people, but it wasn’t a zombie movie. Which was refreshing. And yet, there were creepy zombie-ish creatures. But they didn’t eat anyone. If you got infected, you just died a horrible, painful death.
The Cons
- The secret hidden “lab” under the friend’s new house was a little contrived for bringing the virus on the scene.
- I didn’t understand why the dad never called the cops or his wife and asked for help.
- I didn’t feel a strong attachment or particularly sympathetic to any of the characters, especially not the main ones. I liked the motel maid the best, but she only had a minuscule part!
Rating
You know, this is a pretty fair move.
It’s a little slow to get started, but not too slow you’ll lose interest before the pace picks up.
And like I said under the Pros, there’s a few good jump scares interspersed at just the right intervals for the perfect dose of adrenaline.
Skellie and I give this a solid three out of five skulls.
For More Info
Like Epidemic’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/EpidemicTheMovie/
Produced by Pomerantz Films: https://www.pomerantzpictures.com
Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, as well as obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.
Speaking of healing, to learn how she channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.
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