ITCH! – Movie Review (3/5)

ITCH! is a new zombie survival horror movie featuring a small cast and a low-budget production but made with plenty of heart. And yes, you are bound to end up scratching yourself when watching this one. Read our full Itch! movie review here!

ITCH! is a horror movie featuring a zombie virus outbreak, which leads to it becoming a survival movie. As indicated by the title, feeling itchy is a huge part of this storyline. And yes, you can expect that you’ll feel an overwhelming need to scratch that itch.

I certainly wasn’t able to watch people scratching for long without feeling itchy all over. It’s like when people just mention lice and your head starts itching. Somehow, it’s contagious. Not unlike the zombie virus that causes you to scratch yourself bloody in this zombie horror movie.

Continue reading our Itch! movie review below. The movie recently premiered at the NY film festival Dances With Films.

Scratch yourself to death and then reanimate

In the world of Itch! a new virus has taken a hold on our world. Or actually, we’re experiencing it all in real-time and the outbreak of this itchy virus is fast. The virus known as “The Itch” (for obvious reasons) spreads like wildfire.

Those infected become frenzied, self-destructive versions of themselves as they itch and scratch themselves – and anyone nearby – to death.

Jay (writer and director Bari Kang) is a widower grappling with grief in a very bad way as his daughter – who hasn’t spoken since her mom passed – just needs him around. In many ways, Jay is already a shell of his own self. And now a virus threatens to take away what’s left.

With his daughter, he seeks refuge in the store he runs with his family. Unfortunately, this isn’t the sanctuary he hoped for, so before the virus can get to them, another tragedy strikes. Now, a small group of mostly strangers must band together to keep the virus out, so they can remain safe.

A gritty old-school horror itch

Itch! is made in a deliciously gritty way that feels like a heartfelt and honest tribute to horror movies of decades past. We’re talking about the 1970s especially. And this doesn’t feel like a cheap ploy, but rather a style and vibe chosen because it works for this story.

However, some appropriate nods to other classic survival and/or zombie movies are also obvious. Especially The Mist (due to the refuge in a store) and 28 Days Later via the crazy way the infected act. Mostly, George A. Romero’s iconic 1978 zombie movie Dawn of the Dead is an obvious reference.

And no, Itch! is not set in the 1970s. Itch! is in the present as seen by the use of smartphones. However, the special effects and gritty images will remind you of classic horror movies where practical effects were at the forefront.

For a zombie movie where people scratch themselves bloody, this works perfectly.

Watch ITCH! as soon as you can!

Writer-director Bari Kang, who also stars in the movie, offers a fresh yet extremely brutal take on both the classic zombie and survival horror movie. The movie enjoyed its World Premiere at Dances With Films in New York, which feels only appropriate for the story.

Also, the inspiration for this movie came from the writer-directors own experience at his family’s discount store. One featuring a wild customer acting erratic. I can easily see how that would inspire the events portrayed in this zombie horror movie.

Itch! will probably continue to screen at various film festivals, so keep your eye out for any screenings near you, to check it out. Along with Bari Kang, the movie also stars Olivia Kang, Patrick Michael Valley, Ximena Uribe Vargas, and Maria Ventura Lucas.

The movie does run a bit too long for my liking, which is why the overall rating isn’t higher. However, it’s still a movie we recommend checking out.

ITCH! premiered at Dancing With Films in New York on December 7, 2024.

Details

Writer & Director: Bari Kang
Cast: Bari Kang, Olivia Kang, Patrick Michael Valley, Ximena Uribe Vargas, Maria Ventura Lucas