“You’ll be able to preserve dropping after loss.” – Hélène Cixous
Meera Menon’s post-apocalyptic dramedy Did not Die is a honest indie about podcasting and zombies: a black-and-white love letter to George A. Romero’s early works with a contemporary spin. Walkers aren’t unleashed in a 28 Days Later or Daybreak of the Lifeless 2004 approach — you are not right here for the bloodshed. Menon and co-writer Paul Gleason’s delicate touches to undead storytelling parallel The Strolling Lifeless episodes that concentrate on group over flesh-munching (be warned). Did not Die suits into extra mumblecore horror modes, and whereas Menon hits on comically mushy survival notes, there could be a dragging sensation past zombies’ ft.
Kiran Deol stars as Vinita Malhotra, a profitable Indian American podcast host. She returns from a cross-country street tour the place she interviews different survivors of a subsided zombie outbreak. Stated zombies are nonetheless alive, however they’re solely aggressive at night time. Vinita is accompanied by her timid brother Rish (Vishal Vijayakumar), a nervous wreck who fears zombies in a approach that his sister mocks. Upon reuniting with laid-back brother Hari (Samrat Chakrabarti) and his on-guard spouse Barbara (Katie McCuen), Vinita prepares for her one centesimal anniversary episode she’ll file dwell in a neighborhood courthouse — not your routine doomsday leisure. However, as walkers begin showing within the daytime, the truth of zombie evolution turns into a constructing paranoia.
What you’re taking from Did not Die might be customized, since its pandemic setting suits any catastrophe (COVID-19 mirroring stings). Themes are malleable in a comforting and resonating approach. As a workaholic, Vinita’s artistic submergence and sarcastic quips preserve her optimistic but ignorant not solely of the hazards round, however her emotional state (rattling, simply learn by me). There are additionally poignant moments the place characters bicker about being underprepared or overserious, commenting on how hardships are available waves, but we will nonetheless pursue happiness between plummets. It is nothing fancy — Did not Die is a film about loss, grief, and anxiousness like many earlier than. Menon’s supply is highly effective and natural sufficient to rise above mundanity, and her perspective is healthful.
“Little” moments shine, the interludes that make us overlook zombies might swarm at any second. Vinita’s reconnection with cheater ex-boyfriend Vincent (George Basil) is hardly a meet-cute at first — he interrupts her dwell present making an attempt to pawn off an cute child (saved from “Biters”) — however their romantic comedy bits are genuinely humorous. Or there’s Vinita’s feedback about Barbara, roasting her Caucasianness regardless of making an attempt to embrace Indian tradition. Menon’s return to characteristic filmmaking after a profitable stint in tv brings a sitcom vibe, pursuing lighthearted scenes that hopefully set up familial connections. Characters excel of their interpersonal conflicts and resolutions, driving residence the story’s core emotional components with a freshness that overpowers the stench of rotting flesh.
Paramount amongst themes is the anchor of loss; how life’s cycle does not cease. Whereas there is a peppiness to piano cocktail hours and foolish toy-soldier motions whereas patrolling yards, Did not Die weighs heavy when darkness creeps again into body. Survival just isn’t the tip; it is the start. Vinita’s deterrence of distress in depressing occasions is a vice; it is not a coping mechanism. Menon’s screenplay is sincere, and whereas improvisational strategies can go away somewhat airlessness, there’s an authenticity that may’t be denied. That quote above, “You’ll be able to preserve dropping after loss,” looms like an unkindness of ravens circling overhead. Poetically, the movie exhibits that making an attempt to dwell and making an attempt to not die are two very various things — a stern reminder, however a considerate one.
That stated, the horror half of Did not Die — or, extra fairly, lower than half — feels underserved. Menon’s homages to Night time of the Dwelling Lifeless, from outdoors structure pictures to the color-drained show, play in another way with laughs peppered between frights. Biters shamble from afar, hordes are small, and shadowy results that multiply threats utilizing determine outlines do not strike fearfulness. Menon’s route lacks Romero’s ferocity, primarily as a result of she’s deeply invested in Vinita’s psychological anguish. Horror accents are undoubtedly second fiddle, and later zombie escalations assault as anticipated. As a style hybrid, there’s an unmistakable imbalance.
Nonetheless, Did not Die lingers and lurches in direction of a compelling conclusion. It is a homegrown affair that advantages from Menon’s all-in-the-family manufacturing (that is even her canine on digital camera). Horror followers may be left ravenous for one thing extra bloodthirsty, however Menon’s not making Did not Die for these audiences. It is for her, and that personalization permits her storytelling to echo nice which means for anybody else who’s looking for a approach ahead.
Film Rating: 3/5
