Nightmares Unfold in Real Time

Read Time:3 Minute, 46 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
MadS
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Genre: Horror
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 28m
Director(s): David Moreau
Writer(s): David Moreau
Cast: Milton Riche, Laurie Pavy, Lucille Guillaume
Language: French with English subtitles
Where To Watch: streaming on Shudder October 18, 2024

RAVING REVIEW: MADS sucks you in from the first scene and plunges us into an electrifying horror landscape that feels all too real. A young man's night out descends into terror after a seemingly ordinary interaction goes horrifically awry. Writer/director David Moreau invites us into this relentless nightmare. By choosing a daring single-shot narrative, he crafts a gripping, real-time journey into chaos that defies conventional cinematic techniques.

Moreau’s latest horror venture, MADS, captures the essence of a night gone wrong by boldly deviating from traditional filmmaking. This method enhances the film’s realism. It immerses viewers in the unnerving experience of Romain (Milton Riche,) a recent high school graduate whose plans for a celebratory night are upended by a chilling encounter. Moreau’s camera relentlessly follows Romain, his girlfriend Anaïs (Laurie Pavy,) and their friend Julia (Lucille Guillaume) through a sequence that blurs the boundaries between delusion and reality.

This approach brings a visceral intensity to the screen, turning every corner of the night’s unfolding events into a pulse-pounding spectacle. However, the very innovation that sets MADS apart also introduces challenges. The continuous flow of action can be as mentally exhausting as it is exhilarating, leaving little room for the audience to breathe and reflect. Sometimes, the lack of traditional cuts may cause some sequences to feel like they drag on, potentially diluting the tension in earlier scenes.

Moreau’s narrative strategy is as much a character in the film as Romain and his companions. By focusing so intensely on a few characters’ perspectives, MADS creates an intimate yet suffocating atmosphere that intensifies the horror but sometimes at the expense of broader plot development. The film’s scope occasionally feels too narrow, focusing so tightly on immediate events that the wider implications of the unfolding drama remain just out of reach.

Despite these narrative constrictions, MADS is undeniably compelling. It depicts a psychological and physical descent into darkness, mainly through the character of Anaïs, whose ordeal is portrayed with ferocious intensity by Pavy. The chase sequences that punctuate the film are beautifully shot and heart-stopping, showcasing Moreau’s ability to blend aesthetic finesse with edge-of-your-seat suspense.

The film’s atmosphere is thick with dark humor and irony, painting a surreal picture of young lives caught in an extraordinary crisis. This blend of horror and humor presents a stark, brutally real narrative with sharp, satirical undertones. As a bold experiment in the horror genre, MADS challenges viewers with its unconventional format and storytelling. For those who appreciate a cinematic experience that pushes boundaries and provokes thought, MADS is a riveting, if sometimes jarring, adventure through a nightmarish landscape.

MADS is a standout choice for fans of films that offer a visceral plunge into the action. Its commitment to real-time storytelling and complex character dynamics provides a rich and occasionally perplexing cinematic journey. The film leaves us with lingering questions and a profound appreciation for its artistic ambitions, making it a memorable entry in the horror genre that dares to redefine how stories can be told on screen.

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[photo courtesy of SHUDDER, DIGITAL DISTRICT, GOODFELLA, LES ENFANTS TERRIBLES]

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