Review of ‘Epidemic’ – Available on VOD/DVD September 4, 2018

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