Experience one of the craziest nights out with David Moreau’s film, MadS, one of the most confidently strong horror films. The film had its North American premiere at the 2024 Fantastic Fest with an almost 90-minute runtime, as the chaotic story has pure, high-octane energy of characters that have descended into madness. The French film opens with a young 18-year-old graduate Romain (Milton Richie) testing out a new drug before a big night of partying at his dealer’s location. On his way home Romain sees an injured woman on the side of the road and decides to help her attempting to take her to a hospital as she suffers from peculiar symptoms. However, on their way to the hospital, the woman dies after stabbing herself to death with a screwdriver. This experience takes Romain and his friends on a nightmarish event of mayhem. Laurie Pavy and Lucille Guillaume also star in the film about humanity’s destruction of chaos.
This film should be noticed by audiences who enjoy zombie-like films. Just about everyone in the film goes mad making the title of the film extremely fitting. Pavy stars as Anais, Romaine’s girlfriend, and gives an incredible breakout performance that is extremely terrifying to watch. Her character is one of the most captivating in the film. Richie and Guillaume’s performances are equally tension-filled even though not all the characters are fully developed.
Before viewing MadS the only work of Moreau’s I have seen was The Eye (2008), which starred Jessica Alba and was a remake of the Pang Brothers’ film. MadS is one of the most surprising horrors as the film does take a while to get going, but once it does the rollercoaster apocalyptic nightmare does not stop. The film concludes during the final shot which is most impactful. Moreau’s film feels almost like a frantic found footage film, but it isn’t. The film feels similar to Danny Boyle’s 2002 film 28 Days Later and many of George A. Romero’s films like Night of the Living Dead (1968). MadS does have its fair share of gore which is expected from a film that audiences have seen before, however, there aren’t any jump scares that the film needs to rely on.
Cinematographer Philip Lozzano deserves major praise as the camerawork has seamless fluidity as the events spiral into insanity. It is all told with unexpected twists and turns that the audience will never know what is set to happen next. Moreau shot the film with five takes over the course of five days. Other directors have done this similar concept before, but for a horror film like MadS, it makes this film refreshing to see. It was difficult to tell when a cut or edit was made. Every shot grabs the audience and takes them on a journey illustrating realistic panic.
Moreau’s end of the World film is a fresh take on a zombie feature that will surely please horror fans. It’s a frighteningly great time.
I give this film an 8 out of 10.
