Nina Henderson
Just released on Shudder is the gripping horror film MadS, a brainchild of director/writer David Moreau. This chilling tale transforms a night of youthful revelry into a real-time nightmare. Check out the exclusive new clip below to get a taste of the intensity that awaits.
In MadS, we follow the story of Romain, an eighteen-year-old fresh graduate who decides to experiment with a new pill from his dealer. On his way to a party, he encounters an injured woman and attempts to help her. However, things take a horrifying turn when she violently smashes her head against the dashboard, leading to her death. Is this a hallucination induced by the pill, or is it something far more sinister? One thing is certain – this is just the beginning of a terrifying night.
The film features performances by Milton Riche, Laurie Pavy, and Lucille Guillaume.
In the clip below, we see Anais (Pavy) narrowly escaping a deranged attacker, only to find herself trapped in an elevator. The sounds of a massacre outside the elevator leave us wondering if she’s safe or in even greater danger.
Moreau explains his decision to shoot the film in a single shot, stating, “The fundamental choice to shoot this film in a single shot stems from the desire to make this hallucinatory journey as authentic as possible. By closely following Romain, Anaïs, and Julia without interruption, the camera becomes a direct witness to this descent into hell, capturing every moment without filter or escape.”
As I mentioned in my review from Fantastic Fest, Moreau and cinematographer Philip Lozano have done an exceptional job with the fluid camerawork and the impactful closing scenes. While we’ve seen viral outbreak horror movies before, MadS stands out with its innovative storytelling approach. By limiting the perspective to a single character at a time, it obscures the broader picture, adding to the suspense. Guillaume’s performance is another highlight of this experimental horror film.
Don’t forget to add MadS to your Halloween watchlist this weekend. It’s now available for streaming on Shudder.
