May 20, 2018
Today’s movie is “Day of the Dead: Bloodline” (2018), loosely based on George Romero’s classic “Day of the Dead” (1985). It was written for the screen by Mark Tonderai and Lars Jacobson, and directed by Hèctor Hernández Vicens. The film follows Zoe (Sophie Skelton), a medical student working at a refugee camp five years after the zombie outbreak. During a medical supply run, they encounter Max (Johnathon Schaech), a rotter with above average intelligence, whose body may contain a vaccine for the disease.
Spoilers ahead.
So, this film is bad. I’m gonna say that up front. It makes me concerned for any other remakes of Romero’s incredible intellectual property. I feel like it’s time to try and reboot the entire series, with a consistent vision, perhaps even a persistent cast. I wouldn’t trade the original films for anything, but there’s so much opportunity, and if the major studios or darling production companies don’t make it happen, we’re going to get more and more films like this.
Let’s start with the overly complicated story. Not only is there a rotter with above average intelligence, which moves us from zombie to ghoul territory, but Max attempted to sexually assault Zoe during the outbreak, and apparently still has an obsession with here. Zoe is romantically involved with Baca (Marcus Vanco), whose brother Miguel (Jeff Gum) runs the refugee camp, and apparently has a major authority complex which, surprise, leads to utter chaos at the camp.
Every awful line of dialogue feels forced from the amateur cast, and completely implausible situations abound with the flimsiest explanations. Romero always had purpose with his sets and locations and characters, shooting for some larger message told through the story. Tonderai, Jacobson, and Hernández Vicens, by contrast, turn in a b-rated movie that only has a message because the last line says it does, the worst kind of zombie film.
“Day of the Dead: Bloodline” (2018) is a disappointing remake of Romero’s work, lacking in every category aside from the makeup and practical effects. The entire film would make a great candidate for Mystery Science Theatre 3000 or a Benson Interruption or any other real-time comedic commentary. It would have made watching it a lot more enjoyable. If you’re a zombie film completist, or just like watching something that’s so bad it’s, well, still bad, then check this out. Everyone else, give it a hard pass.
Rotten Tomatoes: 0%
Metacritic: NR
One Movie Punch: Generous 4.2/10
“Day of the Dead: Bloodline” (2018) is rated R and is currently streaming on Netflix.