Inception and Juno star Ellen Page legging it out of Croke Park - there are some movies you just never thought you'd see. But here she is and here we are in first-time director David Freyne's grief-and-guts horror.
This Morning After the Dead sees Ireland trying to pick up the pieces after the Maze virus turned the place into Funderland for zombies. As the title suggests, however, the antidote was successful in 75 per cent of cases, and the 'lucky' ones are now facing up to life in a very hostile world.
Among the third wave of returnees is Senan (Sam Keeley), who is billeted with widowed sister-in-law Abigail (Page). While he no longer has a taste for his fellow Dubliners, Senan still has all the memories of what he did while under the influence - and things get very sticky when old hunting partner Conor (Tom Vaughan-Lawlor) comes calling.
The Northside proves itself to be a surprisingly effective ghost town here as Freyne makes uses of the avenues and alleyways for his story of a society barely scraping by. The chill factor increases because you recognise so many of the places.
As much about forgiveness as fear, Freyne doesn't neglect the kitchen sink drama dynamic in the lost souls triangle of his three central characters. His film is all the better for that. And while he could've done with more action in places, his mayhem-on-a-tight-budget ending is worth waiting for.
Looking forward to seeing what/who he sinks his teeth into next.
