Blood Quantum (2020)

I have always said, and will continue to argue, that so called "genre" films are often the best films to tackle real issues, giving us insight into our real world through fantastic story telling. When a genre film can tell a compelling story and speak to our real lived experience, they can make for some of the best films. A new example of this concept is the "zombie" movie Blood Quantum, a film which works both as thrilling horror but also which speaks to the horrors of colonialism in the modern age.

Writer/director Jeff Barnaby sets up life for us on this reserve beautifully. He highlights the struggles and challenges faced by this community in a succinct yet compelling way, creating a very real world setting for our story and bringing to us the complex characters who we will follow through this adventure. We are immediately pulled into life in this community. Then the zombie aspects start creeping into the story as our heroes begin to understand the crisis they are facing. He uses the very tropes of this genre to striking advantage to tell a story that works on so many levels. This if first level zombie horror. Even if the film was just about that the attacks, the impending doom, the zombie scenes are top notch and the film is a fun, scary movie.

But Blood Quantum is more than that. It is a powerful drama about heritage, justice, and colonialism. It tackles these issues head on and it's zombie story allows this to happen in an organic way that doesn't feel like it is hitting us over the head. It very deftly weaves in its commentary on our very real reckoning with the history of colonialism. As the progresses, like all good zombie movies, it becomes less about the zombies and more about how we lose our humanity in a crisis. Barnaby has crafted a truly powerful tale in this story, one that has left me with lots to reflect on after its conclusion. Perhaps the best horror I've seen sine Us.

Blood Quantum is a beautiful film with a beautiful tragic story about a community at its heart. It is also terrifying, both as a horror film and as a commentary on the evils of colonialism. It is a great example of just how much genre films contribute to movies.

Blood Quantum
Starring: Michael Greyeyes, Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers, Forrest Goodluck, Brandon Oakes
Writer/Director: Jeff Barnaby