Mad House Zoo

Mutants; Netflix Streaming Gem?

The 2010 French film Mutants was immediately suggested to me after my recent review of La Horde. Not much information was given to me at that time except that it is another French zombie flick that is not only preferred over Horde but should also be considered a Netflix Streaming Gem.

After watching I must advise anyone who is interested that while the term zombie is used in reference to this film it may not technically be so. There is a virus sweeping the country turning humans into blood thirsty creatures. This virus is spread through the traditional biting method that flesh eating bad guys seem to enjoy, however, a bullet through the brain is not the only way to kill these monsters. Also; it doesn’t appear that the host to the virus must die before returning to cause mayhem. Instead, over a several day period, the host will physically transform by losing their hair and human facial features. The host will also begin going mad and lose all control over their actions.

Mutants begins with a literal explosion of gore. I can only liken this to a ripened tomato being splattered against the ground after a considerable fall. You’re immediately introduced to the films protagonist, Sonia and Marco, a couple who dabble in the art of ambulance driving. Accompanying them is a mad female soldier who loses a short scuffle with the happy EMS duo. Marco narrowly escapes his own death with just a bullet in the abdomen. Sonia seeks refuge in an abandoned building found deep in the snow covered woods where she nurses her beloved husband back to health. Sonia also attempts to make radio contact with NOAH; a rumored army base where survivors may be gathering.

As the two main characters spend several days alone awaiting their rescue Sonia watches as Marco succumbs to the virus. She reveals that she could be immune but after a quick blood exchange Marco falls to the madness of the transformation. Sonia then discovers that not everyone she has been attempting to communicate with is as kind as she had hoped.

Mutants truly had the ability to be enjoyable but the nonexistent character development leaves the audience feeling stunted. Compounding the problem is a shaky camera. Nearly all of the action captured on film is incomprehensable. I understand the shaky cam phenomenon but when I have to take off my glasses to  un-focus my eyes you’ve lost me. This movie does bring some interesting ideas to the table but the painfully poor execution falls short of its potential. Since this movie can be found on streaming I wouldn’t stop you from giving it a watch but otherwise I’d suggest not bothering.

2.5 out of 5 stars.