FILM REVIEW: Chad Verdi's Infected

FILM REVIEW: Chad Verdi's Infected

Although zombie movies are a dime-a-dozen nowadays, every so often there is film that offers a different take on the genre. One such movie is Infected, which debuted this past weekend at Worcester’s Rock and Shock convention and will open at Cinema Showcase in Warwick on October 25. The latest offering from Chad A. Verdi and his East Greenwich-based production company Woodhaven Films, Infected is a zombie movie with dramatic elements and a survivalist spin.

Story-wise, Infected’s narrative is straightforward, yet unique for the zombie genre. It revolves around a blood virus that infects a small group of hunters, turning their annual hunting trip into a fight for their lives. Aside from the zombie premise, Infected is also able to engage the viewer with recognizable family dilemmas like attempting to rebuild a strained father-son relationship and dealing with a pregnancy (in the midst of a zombie epidemic no less).

Acting shines

One area where Infected shines compared to a typical independent horror film is the acting. Leading the way are Michael Madsen (Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill) and William Forsythe (The Rock, Boardwalk Empire), both of whom deliver fine performances. Fans of Madsen’s famous swagger and gravely voice will appreciate his character Louis, a beer-drinking badass with a propensity for killing zombies. Forsythe shows off his acting chops as Dr. Dennehey, an eccentric character trying to discover a cure to the “infected."

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Aside from heavy hitters like Madsen and Forsythe, the cast also features former-Disney star Christy Romano (Even Stevens) and Rhode Island actors like Tom DeNucci (Inkubus), Tom Paolino (Inkubus), Johnny Cicco (Loosies), Annie Worden (Buffalo Hearts) and Gamm Theater regular Jeanine Kane. Despite having a small role, Paolino manages to deliver a memorable performance as an infected father struggling to care for his daughter. DeNucci is also solid as Louis’ son Andrew, a part which requires him to go toe-to-toe with Madsen on several occasions.

Does it deliver the scares?

While acting is important, most horror films are ultimately judged on whether they deliver in the scare department. If seeing zombies blown away by big guns is your thing, Infected does not disappoint. There are copious amounts of blood and guts to satisfy most gore fans. Additionally, Infected possesses several tension filled moments, although none that will make you jump out of your seat.

As for some negatives, Infected loses some points due to its subpar sound. There are various instances where the audio sounds muffled and dialogue cannot be distinguished. Additionally, background noise is obstructive throughout the film, especially during outdoor scenes.

Keeping with the film’s audio, Infected also suffers in terms of its soundtrack. At times there is an overabundance of music, which detracts from the dialogue. Also, the soundtrack seems out of place based on the film’s setting. For example, the movie uses several county-esque songs that don’t fit the New England woods aesthetic.

That being said, Infected ultimately succeeds in being an enjoyable film that even discerning horror fans will appreciate. Not only does Infected traverse some interesting territory not found in typical zombie movies, it does it all with a low budget and a local crew. 

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Visit Infected’s Facebook page for more information and stay tuned for release date details.