Down with the Sickness

The Sadness (Rob Jabbaz, 2021/2022)

Feeling confident to share that I've pretty much seen what 2022's movies had to offer; or at the very least, anything that was of interest to me. Therefore, it's time to make things right by spending a bit of time discussing Rob Jabbaz's Taiwanese gorefest, The Sadness (2022) from earlier in the year. Sticklers for precise film release dates might class this as one of last year's movies, but The Sadness only made its way to most people's radars this year.

The Sadness is the type of depraved horror film that's far too brutal and sadistic for even today's mainstream horror standards. It's remarkable how a pandemic can turn the world on its head and in the case of The Sadness, it's within a blink of an eye. Its breezey pace kicks in relatively early and doesn't really let up until around the big finale. Jabbaz's film is essentially a showstopper of misanthropic nihilism and brutal depravity; seldom seen to this degree. Another example of the type of product that Hollywood won't or cant produce! What's equally amazing is that it was funded via cryptocurrency and a camgirl business. Twitch thots - take note!

The premise itself is the standard outbreak formula; which hardly makes it groundbreaking. You've seen it all before; albeit with some not so subtle allegories to COVID-19 and vaccinations. The film's young couple are your typical template, but they do thankfully become compelling enough to make the viewer feel invested in their plight throughout the progress of the film. Comic book heads are right to make comparisons to Garth Ennis' Crossed. Not meaning to come off as a contrarian, but I wasn't a fan of those ploddingly-paced, The Walking Dead style books. To its credit, Jabbaz's The Sadness condenses shocking depravity in ninety-nine minutes without having to make me wait long and that's probably a good reason why I don't mind its flawed writing so much. Delving into any further details about the film won't attract nor repel anyone since it's the type of extreme film where you just know whether this is for you or not. The Sadness is definitely for me.

Horror snobs might turn their noses at The Sadness for not fitting into the pompous category known as "elevated horror", but this was one of the most entertaining and engrossing outbreak/zombie films for your host since maybe Train to Busan (2016). Despite its faults, it really delivered in the entertainment department, and for that it get a respective nod from me, regardless.

The Sadness (Restaurant scene)

Rob Jabbaz, 2022