Most of what happens in Pontypool happens off-screen. The dungeon-type radio studio in a former church separates the primary cast from the outside world in a radio War of the Worlds type drama.
Grant Mazzy (Stephen McHattie) is the long-in-the-tooth morning disc jockey trying to figure out whether the reports they get are serious or an elaborate prank. Sydney Briar (Lisa Houle) is the level-headed radio producer. Laurel Ann Drummond (Georgina Reilly) is the assistant producer.
Bruce McDonald does a wonderful job of keeping the suspense and mystery. The radio show has to report the story but they want to report what is actually happening.
Pontypool is also a zombie film though the film is more of a thoughtful, psychological zombie film. Since certain English words trigger the zombies; in a bilingual country, the radio staff has to be clever to use a mix of French and English to communicate.
McHattie is perfectly cast as the crafty radio veteran. Houle and Reilly are also very effective.
Bruce McDonald directed Pontypool but Tony Burgess adapted the screenplay from his novel Pontypool Changes Everything.
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A thoughtful zombie film may have trouble appealing to those who like zombie films or thoughtful films. Pontypool is more of a psychological scare than typical horror films. Most of the known is unknown on the screen.
You might also watch the film twice to see if you missed something on the first screening. More than likely, you won't mind watching the film again.
video credit: Pontypool
photo credit: Pontypool
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