John M. Ware’s THR33 Days Dead is a 2014 horror comedy. Part buddy comedy, part action thriller, THR33 Days Dead unravels the story of what happens when a grave robbery goes awry and unleashes a zombie virus into the world. A group of friends on a fishing trip cross paths with a brother and sister and together they must make their way through the zombies that have infiltrated their hometown. Ware’s film, fueled by a low budget and a love of the horror genre, is a fun ride and is the kind of movie you’re looking for when it’s a popcorn, blood, and guts kind of night.
The premise for the film elects to introduce the zombie virus in an interesting manner. Ware explains his inspiration for the film as he thought about movie ideas with friends. “I had heard a story about a real grave robbery where the guys decided to dig up this doctor who they thought had been buried with all his jewelry. The body exploded when the pressure came off the casket and the guys that did it nearly died from the sickness they got after a dead body exploded on them. So I thought that’s a hell of an opening to a zombie flick.”
Ultimately, it’s a horror movie with a lot of campy elements. Ware credits Evil Dead and Tucker and Dale Vs Evil as some of the inspirations for the tone. That being said, as much as there is a certain level of silliness, there is a strong story that has to do with friendship and loyalty. At times, the acting does not keep up with the pacing of the directing, but there is a great deal of chemistry among the cast members especially between, Jeff, Justin, and Patrick, played by Bryan Boyle who stands out as the hero of the film.
Ware describes his film as “a buddy movie at its core. The core just happens to be a dead rotting zombie.” Ware is currently working on a crime drama set in the same universe as THR33 Days Dead. Ware’s goal is for audiences to simply enjoy the film. “I want people to enjoy the flick and maybe see some of themselves in the characters so they can relate.” Filled with gore, jokes, and characters who remain calm in the face of a zombie attack, THR33 Days Dead is a film that will find its way into cult collections.
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