31 Days of Asian Horror: One Cut of the Dead (2017)

How do I talk about a movie like One Cut of the Dead? It’s an experience that you just have to…experience. The joy in this movie is watching it and following the crazy ride from start to finish. What starts off as a film about overworked actors shooting a zombie film with a cynical director evolves into chaos as zombies appear. The camera work, lack of decent lighting, sporadic focus, and not-so-great acting add so much to the film and captures the rawness blending the satire into the story flawlessly.

Because of how well it is able to take you on such an unexpected journey, it has become one of my favorite zombie films. It’s quirky and fun, yet extremely smart. This film depends upon your first viewing having not known any of the spoilers to truly get how beautifully this film was crafted and produced. It would be a disservice to take that away from your enjoyment of the film and if you haven’t watched it, now is the best time. Don’t let the first part stop you, I promise the payoff is more than worth it. Shinichiro Ueda was able to craft a witty and original horror-comedy while on a low budget with a cast of unknown actors that is satisfying and has a lot of heart. The film is beyond enjoyable.

I’m not going to lie to you, the movie’s draw is the twists and reveals, but it is still highly re-watchable even after knowing the secrets and just adds another layer of enjoyment. It gives you all the clues along the way and with each rewatch you see them in a new light. The film was inspired by Ryoichi Wada's stage play, Ghost in the Box, and in a way it follows that theatricality. Because of it, the movie allows you to transition from the viewpoint of the audience, the actors, and the backstage crew to get a lot out of your multiple viewings.

One Cut of the Dead is streaming on Shudder.

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