The Dead Outside: A Movie Review

Director: Kerry Anne Mullaney.

Writers: Kris R. Bird, and Kerry Anne Mullaney.

First time director Kerry Anne Mullaney gets up close and personal in this virus plagued run through the Scottish Highlands. Made for a pittance the story focuses more on the characters Daniel, April, and Kate rather than the airborne disease. Also, light on action, until the climax, "The Dead Outside," becomes re-watchable as paranoia turns characters against each other in the battle for a cure.

The plot breaks down like this: family man Daniel (Alton Milne) leaves virus contaminated Borders, Scotland for greener pastures and instead encounters gun happy April (Sandra Louise Douglas) in the Highlands. Partnering up to fight several infected this companionship almost breaks apart with the arrival of survivor and master manipulator Kate (Sharon Osdin) challenging the relationship. The situation comes to a climax when Kate hopes to find a cure, to the virus, by using April's immunity and virus free blood for a vaccine.

Made for a small independent budget the lack of apocalyptic images in a viral outbreak are made up by the well-written dialogue and intimacy between characters. Daniel and April interact with contempt initially and then devoted interest. Later, focusing on the relationship triangle between April, Daniel, and Kate the virus seems secondary until characters and topics come together in a bloody climax.

Filmed in the farmlands of Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland the isolation of the location creates independence and self-reliance in the characters with the acting believable, co-ordinated, and entertaining to watch. Sandra Louise Douglas as a sixteen year old survivor of biological experiments and vengeful grandparents is played with understandable vehemence and mistrust. Alton Milne shows more compassion while Sharon Osdin plays her character with dramatic flourish all inside a tense environment.

To be shown at the Another Hole in the Head Film Festival beginning June 7 in San Francisco "The Dead Outside," is a pleasure for those with a sweet tooth for the dystopic, virus filled fantasy world of tomorrow. Let your imagination go wild as conflict and madness spill across the screen in this first film from director Kerry Anne Mullaney.

8 Leering Skulls out of 10.

For more information on this title visit "The Dead Outside," homepage for play dates.

The Dead Outside

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