The Philippine film industry has been striving to break free from its lackluster reputation and produce quality action films comparable to its Southeast Asian counterparts. While progress has been made with releases like Buy Bust, Maria, We Will Not Die Tonight, The Trigonal: Fight for Justice, and Blood Hunters: Rise of the Hybrids, the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to the filmmaking endeavors in the country.
However, in 2022, the local film industry started to reawaken, and one of the films that emerged from this revival was Day Zero—a blend of action and horror genres. The movie presents a world where a mutated form of dengue fever turns its victims into violent zombies. As with many zombie films, Day Zero relies more on the execution of its plot than the explanation of the virus.
Directed by Joey De Guzman, Day Zero marks his second feature film following The Ghosting in 2019. It's worth noting that the involvement of executive producer Erik Matti (Buy Bust) likely contributed to Brandon Vera, co-star of Buy Bust, taking on the lead role in Day Zero. Vera, a former mixed martial artist, transitions into acting, portraying a U.S. Special Forces member imprisoned in Manila for causing permanent disability to someone during a scuffle. However, his performance in this film leaves something to be desired, as he comes across as somewhat lacking in presence.
The story revolves around Vera's character's desire to reunite with his wife, played by Mary Jean Lastimosa (half Filipino, half Iranian and Miss Universe Philippines 2014), and their deaf mute daughter, portrayed by newcomer Freya Fury Montierro. As the zombie apocalypse erupts, the family faces danger, trying to survive and find safety.
The film's setting mainly revolves around a seventh-floor apartment where Lastimosa and Montierro's characters find themselves as the outbreak takes over the surrounding areas. The film introduces a group of expendable characters, including a young couple played by basketball player Ricci Rivero and volleyball player Jema Galanza. While the zombies look convincing, the lack of gore in the attack scenes detracts from the film's intensity.
Day Zero suffers from a lack of originality, limited shooting locations, and subpar acting. The characters come across as one-dimensional, with Vera's portrayal of a U.S. Special Forces member falling short. Additionally, the film's editing and pacing leave something to be desired, contributing to a disjointed feel throughout.
Despite its flaws, Day Zero offers a quirky twist by revealing that zombies take naps when there are no potential victims around—a somewhat amusing concept in a world of zombie movies.
Overall, Day Zero struggles to stand out in a genre crowded with superior zombie films. With inconsistent execution and weak acting, it fails to leave a lasting impact on its audience. While some action sequences show promise, they are not enough to redeem the film from its otherwise lackluster delivery.
Day Zero (2022) - info
- Release date: 29 April 2023
- Genre: Action, Horror
- Director: Joey De Guzman
- Writer: Ays De Guzman
- Stars: Brandon Vera, Pepe Herrera, Mary Jean Lastimosa