199. The Cured; movie review

THE CURED
Cert 15
93 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong violence, gore, threat, language

Anyone who reads this blog will know that I am not a fan of zombie movies with the exception of 28 Days Later, Stakeland and Train To Busan
Let me add The Cured to the list of acceptable films about the undead/infected.
David Freyne has carefully crafted a movie which is packed with meaningful allegories about modern society.
It allows the viewer to make their mind up about whether it is commenting on racial or religious divides, various wars, the anger against asylum-seekers or whether it is specifically relating to The Troubles in Northern Ireland.
The Cured stars Sam Keeley and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor as two of those who were infected by a virus which gave them a thirst for blood.
They can remember a past which they have killed but they are now being rehabilitated into a society which is not exactly welcoming of them.
Seventy-five per cent of those who were infected are in the same situation but there are still 25 per cent whose bodies are resistant to the cure.
Those unaffected favour the latter, who are held in isolation, being killed off while those who have been cured fear that they might be next if such an elimination takes place.
Meanwhile, Ellen Page plays a zombie victim's widow who is trying her best to acclimatise to a world in which his killers will be roaming.
The parallels of post-civil war forgiveness are obvious as those responsible for deaths either suffer nightmares for their actions or merely claim they were not of right mind.
Because of its genre, The Cured does contain scenes of grisly violence but I found the psychology of Freyne's movie more compelling than its action.
Its three key players all contribute with riveting but not overwrought performances.
Interestingly, Freyne has said that much of the thinking behind the movie was about rehabilitation after a heinous crime.
Apparently, he did a lot of research on sex offenders who have served their time and have to try to find a place to live and how they are treated
And, of course, he allows for reflection about the connotations of what they have done. 
This depth really sets The Cured apart from many other zombie films and shows that a little ambition can go a long way.

Reasons to watch: Zombie film with depths that few others have
Reasons to avoid: Plenty of blood and gore

Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 7.5/10

Director quote - David Freyne: "I think what really struck me is how at the time, and now unfortunately it’s getting worse, is how immigrants and refugees, asylum seekers, were being so dehumanised. They were being treated like a contagion that could be just eradicated. "

The big question: How can people be so awful to each other?

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