Re-Kill (2015)
Re-Kill is a 2015 American zombie horror-action film directed by Valeri Milev and written by Michael H. Finkel. The movie is set in a dystopian future where a deadly virus has turned much of the population into zombies, and the world is struggling to combat the outbreak. The story focuses on a specialized team of soldiers known as Re-Kill, whose job is to eliminate zombies in a society that’s grown increasingly desensitized to the pandemic. The film combines elements of a zombie apocalypse with military action, offering a mix of fast-paced combat and social commentary.
The movie is set in the aftermath of a devastating outbreak that has turned the majority of the population into “Re-Kills” (zombies). The government, in an effort to regain control, has established a “Re-Kill” unit, consisting of highly trained soldiers who are tasked with hunting down and eradicating the undead. The unit operates like a SWAT team, using advanced weapons and technology to locate and kill zombies, though their mission is complicated by the public’s growing indifference to the ongoing zombie threat.
The film follows **Sergeant James (played by Scott Adkins), a tough and seasoned soldier who leads a team tasked with clearing the last known remaining zones infected with the virus. However, as the film progresses, the team’s mission becomes more complicated when they encounter a new strain of infected, which seems to be more intelligent and harder to kill. The situation escalates, forcing the team to make increasingly difficult choices about how far they’re willing to go to complete their mission and protect themselves from the growing threat.
As the team fights to contain the outbreak, they also deal with the emotional and psychological toll of constantly fighting a never-ending battle. The film explores themes of perseverance, the human cost of war, and the emotional desensitization that comes from fighting a seemingly endless battle against the undead. The soldiers, initially cold and professional, begin to unravel under the stress of fighting the zombie hordes and dealing with the moral consequences of their actions.
Re-Kill is presented in a “found footage” style, often using the perspective of body cameras worn by the soldiers or surveillance footage to capture the events. This technique is employed to give the audience a more immersive experience, making them feel as if they are part of the action. The film’s aesthetic is gritty and raw, capturing the dire nature of the world in which it is set. The use of practical effects and prosthetics for the zombies also adds to the authenticity and visceral nature of the horror.
The tone of the movie is dark and bleak, emphasizing the exhaustion and moral ambiguity faced by the characters. While it has action-packed sequences and intense combat scenes, the film is also heavily influenced by the psychological toll of living in a post-apocalyptic world. This is a zombie movie that doesn’t shy away from exploring the human cost of the war against the undead.
Re-Kill is a high-energy, action-packed zombie film that blends traditional horror with military and psychological drama. While it features intense action scenes, the film also delves into the psychological effects of living in a post-apocalyptic world, highlighting how desensitization and moral ambiguity shape the characters’ experiences. With a gritty, raw aesthetic and strong performances from Scott Adkins and the rest of the cast, Re-Kill offers a fresh take on the zombie genre, with a focus on the human toll of survival in a world overrun by the undead. If you’re a fan of action-packed zombie movies with a darker psychological edge, Re-Kill is a solid choice.