There are a lot less anthology movies made nowadays than there used to be and hardly any anthology zombie movies so those wishing to enjoy some undead antics in a portmanteau style-ee can rest easy now that The Neighbour Zombie has come along to cater to both of those particular demographics.
6 linked tales provide a wide variety of off-kilter zombie fun and if it’s not entirely successful from beginning to end I’d say that at least one or two of these tales will make you smile, wince, laugh or just gasp at the sheer bizarre vibe of the thing.
The stories are as follows:
Crack – a barmy, surreal piece about a man being pulled towards a specific area of his home and developing quite a strong appetite for meat.
Run Away – a couple in love try to figure out a way to escape. He is a zombie but not a complete, dangerous zombie. Will love find a way?
Mother, I Love You – parents can be zombies too. And their children still want to look after them.
The Age Of Vaccine – An action segment with some superzombie action.
After That, I’m So Sorry – Can ex-zombies be allowed to fit into normal society?
Pain Killer – A slight, short tale only really serving to provide some images over a portion of the end credits.
Originally planned to be separate tales, this movie makes a good job of thematically and stylistically weaving the parts into a satisfying whole although, like most anthology movies, there are highs and lows. Crack is bonkers enough to get things off to a good start (along with some artwork that sets up and links the chapters) and Run Away continues the fun. Mother, I Love You adds a bit more blood and gore and is probably the strongest of all the sections. The Age Of Vaccine has some decent action moments but suffers from being rather poorly shot and muddled. After That, I’m So Sorry isn’t bad though it’s a more thoughtful piece than many that have come beforehand. And Pain Killer isn’t really worth reviewing, it’s so brief and insubstantial.
The acting is all decent enough – from a cast that I have no knowledge of, and I apologise for that – and while there is some over the top stuff there is also some great restraint in at least one or two main performances.
There’s also humour here (Run Away having a few of the best laughs), splashes of blood, some action and decent production values making the most of a relatively tiny budget so I have no qualms in recommending this movie even though it’s unlikely that anyone will enjoy every moment of it.
DIRECTOR: YOUNG-GEUN HONG, HOON RYOO, OH YOUNG-DOO, YOUNG-JUNG JANG
STARS: JI-HUN BAE, YONG-GEUN BAE, EUN-JUNG HA, YOUNG-GEUN HONG, HYEON-TAE KIM, YEO-JINI KIM
RUNTIME: 89 MINS APPROX
COUNTRY: SOUTH KOREA
Film Rating: 
