One Cut of the Dead. A Japanese Horror-Comedy. Or maybe horror/comedy. Essentially it’s a low-budget zombie flick until it isn’t, at which point it goes from ‘meh’ to AWESOME!

This work will become a masterpiece.

Like all horror films (in my experience so far) this film is not scary in the slightest. The horror is quite formulaic, a bit chaotic and generally basic. There are loads of things that make you think “yes, this is a horror film” and many of them are down to the amateurish feel and the histrionics of the actors. However, unlike all horror films (in my experience so far) this one gets good. Really, really good. Not for ‘horror’ reasons particularly, but who cares?

So what happens that makes it so good? Unfortunately I can’t tell you, and you shouldn’t look it up. It is best watched. Similar to a twist ending, the realisation that something else is happening is very rewarding. I’ve already said too much. Suffice to say the whole thing is a joy, and even the final credits manage to add a layer of awesomeness to the story.

What are the best bits (intentionally-vague slight-spoilers)? One of the minor triumphs is the eponymous “one-cut” part of the film. You have to love an epic single shot, like in Boiling Point with Stephen Graham. Also, practically everything that happens in the film after the thematic ‘half-way point.’

What are the worst bits? You feel like you’re persevering a little bit at the start. It seems to be just another horror film (i.e. a bit rubbish and pointless), before it’s not.

Should I go and watch it now? Yes. Go now. Find it. Watch it. It’s great.

Horror films are not all bad then? That really depends if One Cut of the Dead is actually a horror film. It’s not NOT a horror film. But if this exercise has given me anything, it has been this film, so arguably worthwhile overall. It deserves every tenth of its 7.6 IMDB rating.