The Sadness (2021)

Director: Rob Jabbaz

Starring: Berant Zhu, Regina Lei, Tzu-Chiang Wang, Emerson Tsai

Primary genre: Zombie

Secondary genre: Splatter horror

Third genre: Body

Lauded as a superb take on the zombie genre and taking most of its cues from the politically incorrect (and vile) comic series “Crossed”, “The Sadness” can be seen initially as a worthy addition in modern horror. Things begin slowly with eerie results in the busy capital of Taiwan. However, whatever initial goodwill the film carries, it eviscerated by its persistence in excessive, mindless, and OTT splatter set pieces which lack any connective tissue story-wise. It is a film prioterizing “look at what I can do” over “how I can do it”. In other words, do not expect to give a damn about who lives and dies.

After the couple parts ways to go to work, the story splits into two segments. In one, the guy searches for his girlfriend amidst the outbreak and the other involves the girlfriend is trying to stay alive. Yet, there are no distinct supporting characters here. The protagonists are blunt and one dimensional, with zero growth, and any newcomers are simply splatter material. Thus, the trope of survivors banding together is abandoned for the sake of gory mini-sequences that aim to push your limits; rape, murder, mutilation, sadism and masochism are the main ingredients in a film devoid of any real emotion.

“You’re just like me... Violent and Depraved...”

— The Businessman

Depraved acts of butchery and savagery are presented here in such graphic detail that will repel even those boasting a hard stomach. While this type of brutality is nothing new in modern cinema (e.g., “I Saw the Devil” (2010), “Martyrs” (2007)), it needs to have a point. Director/writer Rob Jabbaz seeks to bring an early 70s exploitation vibe (aka like “Cannibal Holocaust” (1980) with a relevant social and political commentary (e.g., people just need an excuse to conduct any sort of depraved act they can think of, in this case a virus). Nevertheless, he fails as his script is too on the nose, serious, and ultimately, superficial. Characters have no motives and are unlikeable, the stakes are extremely low and most importantly, there is no tension. Besides a somewhat chaotic moment in a subway station, nothing will make your skin crawl. It’s a simplistic, formulaic narrative driven solely by nihilism.

Plot holes and logic gaps - it’s unclear how the virus is being transmitted, how long does it take to succumb to the infection, further deteriorate the enjoyment (if any) of this modern “masterpiece” leaving the viewer hopping from one nasty scene to another lamenting details and actual storytelling. Compared to the most action-oriented approach of Zack Snyder’s in “Dawn of the Dead” (2004) or the blockbuster scope of “World War Z” (2013), “The Sadness” is the embarrassing drunk uncle at a Christmas gathering. The edgy individual with his vulgar jokes whom everyone ignores after fifteen minutes. A miserable experience.

Misery more like it

+Promising start

+Superb make up effects

-No suspense

-Logic gaps

-No story structure

-Lack of characters

-Depraved, bleak, nasty

-OTT

-Superficial commentary