A Look at Schoolgirl Apocalypse, by John Cairns

Don’t let the title fool you.

“Schoolgirl Apocalypse (2011).” IMDb, 2024, www.imdb.com/title/tt2360114/mediaviewer/rm2543430656/?ref_=tt_ov_i. Accessed 8 Aug. 2024.

As a horror fan always on the lookout for something fresh, I was pleasantly surprised by how a seemingly ridiculous premise—one that Quentin Tarantino might conjure—can turn out to be a passionate and moving take on the zombie genre.

Set in a rural area of Japan, the story follows Sakura, a schoolgirl with dreams of living abroad. Her world is turned upside down when an unknown and devastating pandemic transforms the men in her village into bloodthirsty zombies. With her home destroyed, Sakura must navigate this new reality, guided by strange dreams that might hold the key to ending the turmoil.

The film stands out thanks to its many creative choices, straying from clichés and making it all the more unexpected. The animation used in the dream sequences offers a unique approach, reflecting Sakura’s inner conflict and distancing the film from conventional horror tropes through creative experimentation. This use of animation is particularly striking, given that animation for zombie films is quite rare.

There were moments when I forgot it was an indie film, thanks to its articulate and beautiful cinematography. The film features inventive angles and transitions, such as a scene where mirrors on side streets reveal a man’s illness before cutting to his transformation into a zombie, or the way sheets flap on the roof when Sakura defends herself from the zombies.

The pacing demands a certain amount of patience, allowing the suspense to build effectively before delivering the horror. While I wouldn’t necessarily call this a scary film, it is an effective one. It’s more of a coming-of-age story, focusing heavily on Sakura’s journey from aspiring dreamer to survivor. This character-driven approach makes it all the more endearing, providing a depth that many horror films lack, while adding a touch of humor and fun along the way without hindering the overall tone and pace of the story. 

An impressive piece of work by an indie team outside of Hollywood. After seeing this, I’m eagerly anticipating the director’s second film, Effigy.

John Cairns | WRITER | FILMMAKER | VR & INTERACTIVE CREATOR (mysterywindow.com)