Director David Moreau returns to horror after 2008’s American remake of The Eye and 2017’s Seuls. His new film, MadS, premiered at this year’s Fantastic Fest. It is a continuous-shot horror movie that offers an apocalyptic thrill at high speeds.
Moreau goes back to his roots as a New French Extremity filmmaker who shocked audiences with Them (or Ils in French) in 2006. He takes on the challenging task of making viewers feel they are watching a single, uninterrupted scene.
MadS was filmed in five takes over five days, but you cannot tell at all. Moreau’s control over constant movement shows a descent into madness as an infection spreads. The film highlights strong performances as we see the beginning of humanity’s end unfold in real time.
‘MadS’ Is Chaotic Right From the Start
The story begins with 18-year-old Romain (played by Milton Riche), a cheerful boy who takes a new pill from his dealer. Romain has just graduated, and he wants to celebrate. Then, a bandaged woman suddenly climbs into his parked car. The bleeding hitchhiker is in pain, and Romain panics while trying to help her.
Unfortunately, she dies. Now Romain has a body in his car, his father is calling him from out of town, and his girlfriend Anais (Laurie Pavy) is on her way to his house. This all happens in just a few minutes. Moreau quickly pulls his audience into the chaos, which is just a taste of the wild insanity Romain will face next.
The film feels like a mix of New Life, Climax, and Run Lola Run. Moreau looks at a contagion outbreak closely, focusing on a few characters caught up in what seems to be a worldwide event. Some viewers may feel frustrated because they want more explanations beyond what Romain and his friends experience.
However, there is an organic fear in these personal stories of doom. Typical apocalyptic tales start after civilization has fallen, allowing for exciting moments like zombie battles. In contrast, Moreau prefers intimate nightmares that lack clear answers.
This is where the real horror lies. Normal life quickly changes from enjoying drinks in bathrooms and discussing romantic drama to running from armed soldiers trying to control a mysterious disaster.
Intimacy is a key element in MadS. The kills are more than just bites, torn flesh, and turning into monsters.
Romain’s encounter with the injured woman (who coughs blood on him) leads to unsettling moments, similar to Eduardo Sánchez and Gregg Hale’s segment “A Ride in the Dark” from V/H/S/2.
MadS offers no solutions to the larger issue as we watch Romain get sick and see how it spreads among partygoers, in French suburbs, and in city centers.
The pain, physical suffering, and resulting madness that take over the story create a powerful sense of inevitability. Once the film begins, it is like a runaway train crashing through obstacles with its driver laughing at the chaos.
‘MadS’ Features a Strong Cast of Horror Performers
MadS features a trio of talented young actors who shine throughout the film. Because the film uses a single-shot style with the camera focused on a specific actor, there is a smooth transition between characters that keeps things engaging.
Milton Riche plays Romain, the carefree young man who introduces us to the unfolding chaos, hinting at the hormonal effects of an infection he unknowingly brings to a crowded house party.
He acts as our first guide. On the other side, Lucille Guillaume plays Julia, who struggles to get home as France falls apart.
While Riche shows subtle changes as he begins to show signs of the rage virus, Guillaume is a terrified survivor trying to escape contamination.
Julia’s responses to the world on fire lead to a memorable ending for horror fans. However, the real magic happens in the middle of the film.
Laurie Pavy’s transformation into the ultimate predator in MadS is one of the best horror performances in recent memory. Her work stands alongside Jane Levy in Evil Dead or Toni Collette in Hereditary, fully embodying wild, animal-like traits.
Still from MadS (Credit: Shudder)
Infected people lose consciousness at times, and her character switches from a scared girl to a possessed monster.
Her every action is done with maximum effort: licking streetlights in a daze, screaming for her mother, skipping towards an innocent biker, showing aggressive behavior, and expressing human emotions amid terrifying outbursts. Pavy’s performance is a perfect fit for the genre.
David Moreau Did Not Need a High Body Count to Make ‘MadS’ Memorable
Moreau fills the film with feelings of dread without needing a high body count. Real scares are mixed with a heavy, demonic character study, while cinematographer Philip Lozano’s moving camera captures everything from running madmen to Romain’s car.
The filmmaking style is varied and powerful for many reasons, even using digital effects to frame scenes creatively. Once Romain starts his car, there is no stopping Moreau’s ambitious and intense take on Day Zero apocalypse stories.
The film is artistic and hungry, honoring the spirit of the New French Extremity movement. MadS is the kind of horror movie that makes you feel like a newcomer to the genre again — and what a wonderful feeling that is.
MadS, directed by David Moreau, is a continuous-shot horror film that follows Romain, an 18-year-old caught in a chaotic, infection-spreading nightmare.
The film showcases intense performances, especially from Laurie Pavy, and highlights personal doomsday scenarios without relying on a high body count. MadS premieres on Shudder October 18.
The main characters of Bad Monkey continue their chase after the bad guys, but Episode 7 ends on a tense note.
In the final moments, a red light casts shadows of armed men outside Andrew Yancy’s (played by Vince Vaughn) house. The situation quickly turns dangerous when the men break into the house, causing a strange fight.
Rosa (played by Natalie Martinez) bravely attempts to take a weapon from one of the attackers. The fight suddenly halts when Yancy recognizes a familiar face, Pestov (played by Anthony Belevtsov), who orders the attackers to stop.
Yancy had helped Pestov in the past by allowing him to keep a restaurant open for an event. Pestov is involved with the Russian mafia and was hired by Yancy’s angry neighbor, trying to stop Yancy from scaring off potential home buyers.
Afterward, Yancy fires a few shots at the neighbor’s window before things calm down. The attackers and Yancy settle down over grilled cheese sandwiches. Yancy’s father then gives him advice, reminding him to appreciate Rosa and warning him about getting too focused on his badge and the case.
Bonnie Finds Redemption in Bad Monkey Episode 8
In Episode 8, Bonnie (played by Michelle Monaghan) finally decides to turn herself in to the federal agents. Her recent talks with Yancy and his father push her to take responsibility.
However, the District Attorney and Cody’s (played by Alex MacNicoll) parents decide not to press charges, as the case is old and too complicated.
Johnna (played by Ashley Nicole Black), the agent who found Bonnie, had been acting alone, as everyone else preferred to forget about it. Johnna drives Bonnie back to Florida, and Bonnie becomes a free woman.
Despite being freed, Bonnie isn’t satisfied. She stops at a gas station, buys gasoline, and sets Yancy’s neighbor’s house on fire.
This act serves as both a punishment for herself and a thank-you to Yancy, who had been bothered by the neighbor’s brightly colored house. As the fire blazes, Bonnie is taken away in handcuffs. The fire reflects in her eyes, showing a sense of relief.
The episode ends with a different kind of accountability. After the fire, the real estate agent tells Sonny (played by Todd Allen Durkin) not to report the cause of the fire as arson, as his insurance wouldn’t cover it. Sonny refuses to be bribed, teaching the agent a lesson about honesty.
Caitlin Turns Against Her Father in Bad Monkey Episode 8
Yancy remains focused on his case, but Neville (played by Ronald Peet) questions his commitment. Yancy assures him that the extradition and financial issues are causing delays. The couple involved in the case, Nick (played by Rob Delaney) and Eve Stripling (played by Meredith Hagner), are in the Bahamas, outside FBI jurisdiction.
Still from Bad Monkey (Credit: Apple TV+)
Yancy, however, has a plan. He confronts Director Rhodes (played by Lauren O’Quinn) and concludes that he needs to lure the couple back to the U.S. without involving the director.
Meanwhile, Nick gets a call from his daughter Caitlin (played by Charlotte Lawrence), who sounds upset. She asks for forgiveness after a fight with Eve and suggests a plan where her church friend could buy a property from Nick, allowing her to visit him in the Bahamas.
What Nick doesn’t know is that Caitlin’s friend is actually Rosa. Yancy and Rosa had convinced Caitlin to help with their plan.
Rosa, under her full name Rosalba, plans to meet the couple in the Bahamas, pretending to be interested in buying the property. Yancy expects that the couple will agree to meet her in Miami to get the cash, giving the authorities a chance to arrest them.
The Dragon Queen’s Love Story in Bad Monkey Episode 8
In the Bahamas, romance blossoms between the Dragon Queen (played by Jodie Turner-Smith), who now goes by Gracie, and her partner Egg (played by David St. Louis). They visit Nick and Eve on their yacht for a business meeting. Gracie manages to steal Nick’s watch during the visit.
Egg becomes concerned about Gracie’s involvement with Nick and Eve, but she dismisses his worries and encourages him to sing instead. They dance together, enjoying a happy moment.
Later, Gracie finds out that her childhood friend Asia’s boutique was vandalized. Gracie knows Nick and Eve are behind it, and she also knows who carried out the attack.
Furious, she confronts Egg and tells him to leave her alone. Feeling isolated, Gracie seeks comfort from Ya-ya (played by L. Scott Caldwell), but Ya-ya only hopes Gracie will find her way back to her Dragon Queen identity.
Ignoring Ya-ya’s advice, Gracie goes to a local breakfast spot where she runs into Yancy. Yancy notices the watch in her hands and strikes up a conversation.
Still from Bad Monkey (Credit: Apple TV+)
He informs her that the watch is worth around $250,000, which would be enough for her to start a new life. Gracie listens to his advice and disappears to start fresh. As she leaves the island, she waves goodbye to Egg.
Rosa Goes Undercover in Bad Monkey Episode 8
Yancy and Rosa start setting up their plan, with Rosa practicing her smooth-talking skills. They go to a bar where Yancy shows off his charm as “Mr. Fleeterson,” while Rosa chooses her target.
However, they accidentally approach Nick and Eve’s pilot, Claspers (played by Bob Clendenin). After realizing who he is, they take a picture with him, unknowingly setting the stage for their plan.
When the real plan goes into action, Rosa does well. She successfully convinces Nick and Eve to fly to Miami to collect the cash. Eve becomes suspicious at first, but Rosa manages to win her over by playing into her dislike for her stepdaughter.
Rosa and Yancy celebrate their success at Dawnie’s (played by Reese Antoinette) house with Neville. During the celebration, Yancy helps Neville try to impress Dawnie, while Rosa becomes excited to see her sister, Mel (played by Gizel Jimenez), on TV as a weather reporter.
The narrator informs viewers that Hurricane Mel is approaching, and the locals are preparing for the storm. Nick and Eve, part of the local crowd, find themselves at the same bar where the Polaroid of Yancy, Rosa, and Claspers hangs.
In Bad Monkey Episode 7, Andrew Yancy (Vince Vaughn) faces a tense situation when armed men break into his home, only to be stopped by Pestov, a familiar figure from Yancy’s past.
Episode 8 focuses on Bonnie’s (Michelle Monaghan) redemption as she sets her neighbor’s house on fire, thanking Yancy and punishing herself for past misdeeds.
Meanwhile, Yancy and Rosa (Natalie Martinez) plot to lure Nick (Rob Delaney) and Eve (Meredith Hagner) back to the U.S. for arrest, with Rosa going undercover as “Rosalba.” Caitlin, Nick’s daughter, joins the plan against her father.
Still from Bad Monkey (Credit: Apple TV+)
On the romantic front, the Dragon Queen (Jodie Turner-Smith) reaches the peak of her relationship with Egg (David St. Louis), but their bond quickly unravels.
Yancy and Rosa’s plan succeeds, and they celebrate while preparing for a looming hurricane, leaving viewers eagerly awaiting the next episode. Bad Monkey delivers thrilling twists, action, and character development.
Episodes 1-8 of Bad Monkey are available to stream on Apple TV+, with new episodes releasing every Wednesday.
