The Decayed is a post-apocalyptic horror film that was released in 2017. Directed by Joe Lynch, the movie stars Pete Perez as Hunter, Oliver Burbage as Max, and Shaieynne Ruffin as Jessica. The story follows a group of survivors who are trying to make their way to a military base in search of safety from a deadly virus that has turned most of the world's population into flesh-eating zombies.
The movie opens with a scene of chaos as the virus spreads quickly through the streets of an unnamed city. Hunter, Max, and Jessica are among the lucky few who manage to escape with their lives. They soon realize that in order to survive they must stay on the move, avoiding both the infected and other survivors who may pose a threat. As they journey towards the military base, they encounter a number of obstacles, including bandits, a lack of resources, and their own growing sense of desperation.
One of the standout features of The Decayed is its use of practical effects to create the zombie hordes that pursue the protagonists. There are numerous scenes of visceral violence as the survivors fight for their lives against the relentless onslaught. The makeup and prosthetics used to create the creatures are impressively detailed, with each zombie having its own unique features and appearance.
While the movie is certainly scary and gruesome, it also has moments of humor and heart. The three main characters have distinct personalities and motivations, which clash at times but ultimately bring them closer together. There are also a few scenes that provide some respite from the horror, such as a moment where Hunter teaches Max and Jessica how to play a game of baseball with a can of beans and a stick.
As the trio progresses towards the military base, they begin to uncover more about the virus and its origins. They discover that the virus was created by a shadowy corporation called JCorp, which was attempting to create a weaponized form of influenza. Despite their best efforts, the virus ended up escaping from the lab and infecting the population at large.
The ultimate climax of the movie takes place at the military base, where the survivors are finally able to obtain some measure of safety. However, as they settle in and try to rebuild their lives, they realize that the threat of the virus is far from over. The ending leaves things open for a possible sequel, though as of this writing there has been no news of one in the works.
Overall, The Decayed is a well-made and enjoyable addition to the post-apocalyptic zombie genre. While it may not break too much new ground in terms of story or themes, it more than makes up for it with its effective scares and memorable characters. Fans of the genre should definitely give it a watch.
The Decayed is a 2017 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 49 minutes.
It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 3.6.
