MadS (2024) – Review | Shudder’s one-take horror film

A slightly different kind of zombie film

In MadSWe begin on a seemingly normal and quiet summer evening in France. 18-year-old Romain recently graduated and makes a quick stop at his dealer’s to try out a new drug. What is that? Not even the dealer knows it, but it is a reddish powder that will change the world.

Romain (Milton Riche) is on his way to a party when he sees an injured woman. Or rather, she jumps on his car and enters his convertible – which is obviously not difficult. He decides to help her, but she can’t tell him anything about herself and seems extremely disturbed.

She has a recorder and tries to play some of it for him. Hot tip; Pay attention to what is said in this recording!

Then the woman, wrapped in bandages, begins hitting her head against the dashboard, injuring herself so badly that she dies. Is this really happening, or is Romain just having a bad trip?!

Unfortunately for Romain, it actually happens and he will find more strange things happening. Including a newfound interest in looking into the light. Street lights, lamps, any kind of light. And it gets pretty snappy, but not in the classic zombie style.

MadS is entirely its own creature, but definitely a creature. As the night continues in real time in this one-take, we also meet two other main characters who we follow on-off. These two are portrayed by Laurie Pavy and Lucille Guillaume. And finally Lewkowski Yovel.