Written by: Carlos Medrano
Circle circle dot dot, now you got your “Cooties” review shot.
“Cooties” is one of those very underrated indie horror comedy films that came out in 2014. Directed by Jonathan Milott and Cary Murnion, the film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and delivers a perfect blend of horror, gore, and comedy.
WATCH THE TRAILER FOR "COOTIES" BELOW!
“Cooties” is the perfect spin on a zombie film that takes place in an elementary school. Within the opening credits, it explains how the Cooties start, and before the 20-minute mark is when the true fun begins. The one-liners, death scenes, and gore are enough to keep you engaged throughout the whole film.
The cast alone is top-tier, with comedy players such as Elijah Wood, Rainn Wilson, Alison Pill, and Jack McBrayer. Honorable mention to Jorge Garcia; his scenes steal the moment. Leigh Whannell, who also stars in the film, was one of the writers. Many may know his work through “Saw,” the “Insidious” series, and “Dead Silence,” and yes, he is good friends with director James Wan. (The Conjuring, Malignant)The film also features Nasim Pedrad and Ian Brennan in supporting roles.
“Cooties” is everything you would want in a zombie film and a comedy film. There is a fun scene when a zombie child is being picked up by his mom, and what follows is one of those “wow, they went there” moments.
One thing “Cooties” does really well is embrace the absurdity of its premise. A bunch of teachers trying to survive an outbreak of flesh-hungry elementary school kids sounds ridiculous on paper, and thankfully the filmmakers know it. The movie never takes itself too seriously, which is exactly why it works. The film understands that sometimes the best zombie movies are the ones willing to have a little fun while the world falls apart.
Fun fact: there is an alternate ending which can be seen on below.
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