The Lazarus Effect (2015)
This time I’m reviewing a film I first saw right when it came out in 2015 but at the time I wasn’t doing reviews yet so I thought and rewatch it and view it with new eyes, The Lazarus Effect…
*** SPOILER ALERT *** THE LAZARUS EFFECT follows a group of researchers led by Frank and his fiancée, Zoe, who've achieved the unimaginable - bringing the dead back to life. After a successful, yet unsanctioned, trial on a newly deceased animal, the team is ready to unveil their breakthrough to the world. When the dean of their university learns of their underground experiments, their project is unexpectedly shut down and their materials confiscated. Frank, Zoe and their team take matters into their own hands, launching a rogue attempt to recreate their experiment, during which things go terribly wrong and one of their own, Zoe, is horrifically killed. Fueled by terror and grief, Frank pushes them to do the unthinkable: attempt to resurrect their first human test subject. Initially, the procedure appears a success, but the team soon realizes something is wrong with Zoe. As her strange new persona reveals itself, the team quickly becomes stuck in a gruesome reality. They are no longer faced with the question of whether they can bring someone back to life- but rather, the wrath of her return.
This film really reminds me of another film that came round the same time, Frankenstein Syndrome. Both film takes inspiration from the classic Frankenstein story, but this film also takes a bit of inspirations from Stephen King’s Pet Semetary and the film The Dead Hate the Living in that it has the idea that resurrected dead come back changed and murderously vengeful for being brought back.
Much like in Frankenstein Syndrome our group of characters are not doing authorized research and those that are funding them are corrupt and intended on stealing the work and getting rid of the researchers in the end. Also, one member of the group is a spy working for the corporation.
Also, like Frankenstein, they are successful in doing a resurrection. In the case of this film the subject is a dog whereas in Frankenstein it is a pregnant girl who commits suicide. Also, in the case of this film the main resurrection is a member of the research crew. In Frankenstein it was a security officer who was murdered by his boss because he threatened to tell the authorities about the project because they used his babie’s momma as a test subject. He was shot in the head. In Lazarus the person killed is the head researcher’s fiance. When she is brought back she also brings a long with her her personal hell because as a child she murder in family by burning down her home with them locked in a room. In Hell she spent an eternity reexperiencing her sin. Also, like Frankenstein she can now read minds and use her mind to attack the group who are afraid of her now and want to kill her.
The film itself is brilliantly written. The character are well developed and acted. The FX and production design is fantastic. This director really knew how to use his budget and this film look like it had double the budget. So, all in all I say The Lazarus Effect, like Frankenstein Syndrome is AWESOMETACULAR!!! I also recommend you do a double feature night with Frankenstein Syndrome. My dear friend Tiffany Shepis-Treder would really appreciate that because it is one of her best performances…and she needs the royalty check… You can currently find this film on Pluto TV and Tubi TV...
