We’ve all seen the movies that show the beginning of an outbreak. Viral, zombie, whatever, an outbreak always starts with one person and quickly spreads everywhere. What you may not have seen is that story told in real time without editing, following a group of friends on what was supposed to be a fun night that turns into a nightmare.
That’s the conspiracy Mada new French film from director David Moreau. It’s a 90 minute single take (or at least, it’s made to look that way with hidden cuts) that starts at the guy’s house, down the street, into the house, back to the car, to the party, into the streets, and into the tall building, all the while the camera follows on foot or in a car. The result is a tense ride that leaves you with little knowledge of the story but blown away by the impact of the filmmaking style on it.
Things start when a young man named Romain (Milton Riche) hits drugs the next night. Things are going well for him as he drives his vintage car down the road, stoned. Until a woman covered in blood and bandages gets into the car. The woman cannot speak, cannot explain, and is extremely aggressive. He’s not sure what to do but his night is officially over.
From that moment on, the camera came on Mad he is the main character. It doesn’t give us a break and it takes away from the action where it makes things even scarier. More characters are introduced, like Romain’s girlfriend (Laurie Pavy), and we watch as they, and the audience, find out what’s going on. Because the camera doesn’t stop, most of the film is about the actors who are babbling like idiots or screaming in confusion because they are in trouble and don’t know what is happening to them. Moments like that are often cut in zombie movies so it’s fun to see, but also a little crazy. However, tension and power never end because there is no time to breathe.
Mad it is so concerned with that pace that it never really explains what is happening to these characters. It finds new ways to give us a little information here or there, but whether it’s some kind of deadly virus or zombie thing is never documented. Instead, whatever happens shares characteristics with all of those things and the purposefully vague nature adds to the suspense. (Also, did these characters not know what was going on the first night? Of course not.)
All the characters are impressive in this film but it is Pavy, as the girlfriend, who really shines. As the bridge actor between the beginning and the end of the film, he has a very complete transition and gives a powerful, physical performance. Every time he is on screen, we both dread to see him, but we also realize that the movie is better when he is in it. If he is not there, even for a few minutes, it is not good.
At the end, Mad it’s definitely more about style than substance but that style is so cool and powerful you probably won’t mind. I didn’t. This movie kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next, and how the filmmakers were going to capture it.
Mad recently played Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas, and will be at Shudder October 18.
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