Night of the Living Dead: Darkest Dawn is a 2015 animated horror movie that serves as a reboot of George A. Romero's classic Night of the Living Dead. Although the original movie was released in the 1960s, the reboot, which is entirely animated, seeks to introduce the story to a modern audience. The movie follows the original plotline to a large extent, and the characters, even though animated, retain the same personalities and quirks that made the original movie such an amazing cult classic.
The movie begins with a fierce thunderstorm as Barbara (voiced by Amanda Niles) and her brother, Johnny, are driving to visit their father's grave in a Pennsylvania cemetery. Johnny teases Barbara about her fear of cemeteries, but things change when a horde of zombies attack the siblings. Johnny is killed while trying to save his sister, leaving Barbara to fend for herself. She seeks refuge in a nearby farmhouse, where she meets Ben (voiced by Gus Malliarodakis), who had also been attacked by zombies.
The farmhouse quickly becomes a fortress for a small group of survivors who are fighting to stay alive. Among them is Harry Cooper, his wife Helen, and their daughter Karen. The survivors have to find a way to survive the horror of the zombies that are taking over the streets outside. They have limited food supplies, no weapon, and are unaware of the scope of the disaster.
As the story progresses, and tension mounts, the survivors learn that the zombies are not the only threat they face. In-fighting, fear, and distrust begin to tear them apart from the inside. Harry, who had blocked access to the cellar and the radio, which could have been of great help, to secure his family's safety, becomes despised by the others. Ben, on the other hand, becomes the de facto leader, taking charge of the situation and making the tough decisions. Despite their differences, they all have one common goal: to survive the zombie apocalypse and make it through the night.
As the night wears on, the situation outside continues to deteriorate, the number of the living dead increasing. The survivors, caught between the zombie threat outside and the human threat within, are faced with impossible choices with their lives hanging in the balance. The tension rises to an unbearable crescendo, culminating in a heart-wrenching finale that will leave audiences on the edge of their seats.
Night of the Living Dead: Darkest Dawn is an animated masterpiece, effectively mixing the creepy atmosphere of the original movie with beautiful, yet terrifying, animation. The movie manages to capture the original's haunting mood and sense of despair, which will leave viewers with a sense of dread that lasts long after the movie is over. The story is gripping and the characters are well-developed, with voice actors giving realistic and emotional performances. Danielle Harris, who plays the character of Helen Cooper, delivers a standout performance, bringing emotional depth to the role.
One of the most outstanding aspects of the movie is its innovative use of animation, which provides a fresh perspective of the horror genre. The movie is filled with stunning visuals and is a testament to what can be achieved when animation, horror, and human drama coalesce. Although it's animated, Night of the Living Dead: Darkest Dawn is still a horror movie, and it's not for the faint of heart, as it contains graphic violence and gore.
In summary, Night of the Living Dead: Darkest Dawn is an exceptional horror movie that does justice to the original movie. With its beautiful and terrifying animation, well-developed characters, and an engaging story, it manages to deliver an enjoyable yet deeply unsettling viewing experience. It's a must-watch for anyone who enjoys horror movies, and an excellent introduction for those who have not seen the original.
Night of the Living Dead: Darkest Dawn is a 2015 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 2 minutes.
It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 3.8.
