The Cured [2017] is the feature debut of writer/director David Freyne. Starring Elliot Page, Sam Keeley, and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor; the film follow the events after an infection that ravaged Ireland and caused individuals to turn violent and manic has been cured. Those who were once infected can remember all that they did while sick and are discriminated against by society as they attempt to integrate back into normal life.
Worse than flu season. The Cured offers an interesting premise in that it focuses on life after a zombie epidemic and deals with those who were infected being brought back into society. Those who were infected have memories of all they did while the disease took hold; every child murdered, every body mutilated, everything is a vivid nightmare that cannot be escaped. The film ultimately follows those who have been deemed safe to go back to a normal life, however, everyone else is vehemently against bringing these individuals out to the open because of what they’ve done. The Cured are ultimately treated like garbage, with homes vandalized and everyone from family to strangers disowning and despising their existence.
Do you have health insurance? What frustrates me is that I’m unsure if there’s a particular message that the film is trying to convey or not. The main concern for those who were infected is that 25% of the infected population hasn’t taken to the cure and the government is debating whether or not to dispose of these five thousand or so individuals. If this were to happen would it simply end at that 25%? Or would the remainder who are clearly not welcome be disposed of as well? Luckily as a few characters point out, the infected aren’t completely in control and shouldn’t be held accountable for their actions. I’m so confused why the entire rest of the population feels that everyone who was infected basically deserves to rot in hell because they committed such heinous crimes involuntarily. These people were infected by a virus, they didn’t choose to be put in this situation. Those who were lucky enough not to be infected act like they have the end all be all reasoning for allowing thousands of people to be done away with due to a disease.
Chicken soup for the tortured soul. There’s enough material there to start forming a metaphor until the latter half of the film comes into play, and then the reasoning behind the character’s actions become questionable in an allegorical context but hold enough weight within the framing of the film to make some sense. It still just doesn’t feel like anything particular is being expressed here. It’s a worthy idea that breaks the mold from the typical zombie outing but it doesn’t feel like anything is gained in the end.
The doctor will see you now. For what it’s worth the production as a whole is handled with sure-handed direction. The cast all does a great job and the world that’s built is believable. There may not really be any qualms to be had with this film unless you decide to look for something deeper in the narrative. I did, so I feel let down. Your mileage may vary.
A unique and clever premise that goes nowhere in particular.
Watch The Cured in theaters or On Demand on February 23, 2018.