We Are Little Zombies Review: A Fun, Mad Movie

OK, there are classic Japanese films, then there are cult classic Japanese films – and then there is WE ARE LITTLE ZOMBIES!!!

Right, grab a beer and hold your breath in the same action, because here comes one of the most far-out and weirdest films of recent years which could well be the biggest cult film of the year. Imagine any one-hit wonder band scenario coupled with THE FISHER KING and full-on childhood tragedy – and you have the gist of what WE ARE LITTLE ZOMBIES is all about.

Four children share the sadness and tragedy of losing their parents in and around the same space of time and inevitably have to confront all those rather awkward moments, whilst having to cope with the compulsions of education and adult support from others.

Escaping from their immediate world, they find themselves out on the street and in a garbage dump, where they concoct a few instruments found in the rubbish and put a band together known as ‘Little Zombies’, where they record a song called ‘We Are Little Zombies’, which subsequently goes viral and makes them immediate stars. However, the exploitation of their welfare and talents raises concern and questions amongst the Japanese populace – and a few hard questions about their own feelings need to be answered as well…

Now, even with the earlier description, WE ARE LITTLE ZOMBIES does get weirder and more detached as the film heads towards its’ conclusion – and in some ways you are wondering where specifically the film is designed to end as it doesn’t really want to end at times.

Thematically, this is about how four children have to cope with their own individual sadness and grief and how their own escapist instincts kick in to put them in a more balanced frame of mind. However, it is also one of the maddest films seen in an age – and might even be a little too-left field for Western audiences.

Still, that hasn’t stopped it from becoming a hit on the festival circuit especially at Sundance, which will certainly help its chances in the coming months during this post-lock down period where it’s vital for movies to find their feet again on the big-screen.

This is the sort of cult film that requires extra viewings and clarity so you really get a sense of what it is all about – and if that is the case, then the film certainly has achieved its intent.

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