A Plague So Pleasant

A Plague So Pleasant (2013) is an independent American film that presents a refreshing take on the traditionally grisly zombie genre—one that redefines preconceived notions whilst dipping its toes into the social commentary pool. Helmed by the filmmaking duo Benjamin Roberds and Jordan Reyes, A Plague So Pleasant trades in mindless fear for thoughtful contemplation, starring Eva Boehnke, David Chandler, and Maxwell Moody.

The film begins with a straightforward premise: In a world where a zombie outbreak has occurred, society has somehow managed to adapt and coexist with the afflicted, now known as "Post-Lifers". The survivors have learned to control the Post-Lifers, treating them almost as a part of everyday life, as one might begrudgingly accept constant rainfall. There are strict laws in place: any form of violence against Post-Lifers is prohibited. And as long as those laws are respected, the Post-Lifers remain docile and in no way a danger to the living.

Among the living, we meet siblings Clay (David Chandler) and Mia (Eva Boehnke). Clay is a quintessential nice guy, a rule follower, who'd do anything to protect his headstrong younger sister Mia from anyone or anything. Including her Post-Lifer boyfriend—yes boyfriend—Todd (Maxwell Moody). Mia appears to still love Todd just the same as she had when he was still alive, holding on to the past as if nothing had changed. This relationship lays out the central tension of the movie as Clay grows increasingly concerned for his sister's safety and sparked a strong potential for turning their world upside down.

Underneath this tension runs a sleight of hand, a subversion of the audience's expectations when it comes to zombie cinema. This is due in large part to the filmmakers' commitment to challenging and reimagining the genre. Rather than focusing on the blood and gore typical of such stories, Roberds and Reyes lean into the psychological aspects, hinging the plot on the human characters' personal conflicts and moral quandaries.

The aesthetic of A Plague So Pleasant is another point of divergence from the usual zombie movie stereotype. With a blend of black-and-white and color cinematography, the film offers a visually striking contrast that enhances the bleakness of the post-apocalyptic world and the hopefulness of adaptation and survival. The stunning visuals are matched by a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack, weaving a captivating mood and atmosphere throughout the narrative. The performances from Boehnke, Chandler, and Moody are top-notch. Their characters are engaging and nuanced—fleshed-out individuals with motivations, foibles, and arcs that are easy to connect with—making this film more than merely a zombie flick.

The film also explores some thought-provoking themes around human behavior, the meaning of life and death, and what it means to navigate relationships in a post-apocalyptic world. The film acts as a stirring commentary on societal complacency and our ability (or inability) to adapt to new realities, without forgetting what is at stake.

A Plague So Pleasant is by no stretch of the imagination your typical zombie film. It gracefully weaves elements of the sublime and surreal into a genre that so often adheres to prescribed tropes, providing an uncommonly thoughtful meditation on the human condition in extraordinary circumstances.

So, if you're a fan of the zombie genre but find yourself somewhat tired of its repetitive and predictable elements, A Plague so Pleasant may offer you the refreshingly different perspective you've been looking for. Combining thought-provoking narrative with stunning visuals and stellar performances, it ponders deep, existential questions, packages them in a cocoon of the undead, and leaves the audience to untangle the answers.