Atton Conrad

As a huge fan of the zombie genre, The Sadness really stood out to me — not just for its gore and chaos, but for how far it was willing to push boundaries. The cast and acting were solid, on par with some of the better zombie films out there — which, for fans like me, is saying something. The film has clear influences from Garth Ennis’s Crossed — a series I’ve read and still can’t imagine ever being filmed in its original form. The Sadness comes surprisingly close to capturing that same unhinged brutality, but in a way that actually works on screen. It doesn’t match the sheer extremity of Crossed, but it channels its spirit well. From what I understand, the director acknowledged this influence, and to his credit, he pulled off a coherent and compelling adaptation of that atmosphere. Yes, there are a few cultural or genre clichés — some of that overly dramatic Asian horror flavor — but honestly, it’s forgivable and even charming in context. If you’re used to the tone of mid-brow Korean genre films, you’ll feel right at home. Overall, it’s brutal, intense, and surprisingly watchable — it held my attention all the way through. If you’ve read Crossed, it’s a fascinating companion piece. If you haven’t, The Sadness might be the closest you’ll ever get to seeing that kind of story on screen. Highly recommended for horror fans — especially those with a strong stomach and an appreciation for transgressive storytelling.

A red notice should be actioned on the script writer. Truly difficult to watch without cringing. More holes in the plot than shots fired.