One Cut of the Dead (5/5) – Movie Review

ONE CUT OF THE DEAD is one of the very best horror-comedies ever! It’s from Japan which is usually known for a very dark kind of horror that features women with long black hair. Now, you will be laughing so hard you just might pee your pants. I know I came close! Read more in our full One Cut of the Dead review here!

One Cut of the Dead is a horror-comedy from Japan and it is brilliant! When we first watched it, we didn’t know much about it other than the fact that it had won several audience awards at film festivals.

Also read: Find previous reviews of horror-comedies here >

If you love the horror-comedy subgenre, then you really should enjoy this one. A lot! You just have to get through the first part of the movie, which is not good… but this is the point. It is actually a work of pure brilliance!

Read more in our spoiler-free full review of One Cut of the Dead below!

For the love of horror-comedy, hang in there!

You absolutely must keep in mind, that this movie has won several audience awards at film festivals. Because when you’ve watched the first 5-15 minutes, you’ll probably want to give up and stop watching. 

But please know that One Cut of the Dead won audience awards because it is insanely funny, bloody and downright grotesque. Yes, I love it so much that I’ve moved on to absolutely adore it!

At first vieweing we were ready to quit after the first fifteen minutes, but please hang in there. We thought we had gotten the wrong movie, because this One Cut of the Dead couldn’t possibly be the movie that people enjoyed so much.

I know it looks really shitty and weird and even boring at first. But trust me (and all the other reviews from people who actually watched the entire movie), it will all make sense.

You will never forget the “POM!”-lady

After watching One Cut of the Dead, I predict most (if not all) of you will fall in love with the character that I lovingly refer to as the “POM!”-lady. This is because she yells out “POM!” while showing off a self-defence technique that you will see her learn.

Let’s just say that the “POM!” lady turns out to be a real force of nature. We’re talking Sarah Connor, Ellen Ripley and Furiosa all wrapped into one feisty Japanese woman. Sure, she might not have the skills to deserve this comparison, but she certainly has the mindset and willpower.

Overall, most people will probably end up having several favorite characters that they can relate to for one reason or another. For me, all of them have special little quirks that you can adore. Much like we know it from other brilliant horror-comedies such as Shaun of the Dead.

Bottomline: If you love horror-comedy, then you will love One Cut of the Dead. You just have to get through the first half hour or so and then the final half hour will be all the better. And that final part is brilliant. Truly!

Watch One Cut of the Dead as soon as you can!

The movie was written, directed and edited by Shin’ichirô Ueda and he is clearly a genius filmmaker for this genre! What’s even more crazy is the fact that One Cut of the Dead was only his second feature film. He has done a lot more short films, but is continuing to work on feature films now.

You really don’t want the plot of One Cut of the Dead spoiled because you’ll miss out on the overall experience. Just know that it’s all about shooting a zombie movie live in one take. Hence the title.

Of course, a lot will go wrong (afterall, this is a horror comedy) but you won’t realize how at first. Don’t worry, you will by the end of this movie. Also, a US remake should be on the way, which could potentially be a massive horror-comedy hit if done right.

Still, this original One Cut of the Dead will forever have a special place in my horror-comedy loving heart. It is one of my absolute favorite movies ever in the subgenre. 

ONE CUT OF THE DEAD is out in theaters in NY and LA Friday, September 13, 2019. There will be also be one-night screenings across the country on September 17, 2019. Also coming to Shudder September 24, 2019!

Details

Writer, Director & Editor: Shinichiro Ueda
Cast: Takayuki Hamatsu, Mao, Harumi Shuhama, Yuzuki Akiyama, Kazuaki Nagaya, and Manabu Hosoi.

Plot

While shooting a low-budget zombie film in an abandoned warehouse, the crew find themselves caught between actual zombies and a mad director who won’t stop rolling. If you think you know what happens next, think again. Filmmaker Shinichiro Ueda turns the film on its head more than once for one of the wildest, funniest, and most surprising zombie movies of all time.