Overlord Review

7.5.  Enjoyable WWII zombie-esque drama, which could act as an origin story for COD Nazi zombies or Wolfenstein *MINOR SPOILERS*

Overlord is a fun zombie horror film directed by Julius Avery, written by Billy Ray and Mark L. Smith. The film was produced by J. J. Abrams and Lindsey Weber.

Set on the eve of D-Day, June 1944, in an alternate history World War II, an American paratrooper squad is sent behind enemy lines to destroy a Nazi radio transmitter in a fortified church, in a Nazi occupied French village. The plane is shot down and the survivors must fight on to finish their mission, but soon learn that there are sinister and mysterious things going on …

Overlord is an enjoyable zombie-esque drama which could act as an origin story for COD Nazi zombies or Wolfenstein. The opening sequence featuring air combat and parachute jumps behind enemy lines into France is fantastically done with great special effects.

The costumes, setting and atmosphere are all dark and foreboding. Pilou Asbaek (Euron Greyjoy in Game of Thrones) played a great slimy role as Wafner the local Nazi SS leader. There are no A-listers here but that’s not a bad thing, there are interesting characters and good casting; Wyatt Russell as Ford, Mathilde Ollivier as Chloe, Jovan Adepo as Boyce, John Magaro as Tibbet – loved him.

I would have like to have seen more of the creatures once the heroes infiltrated the underground base, and their transformations. The transformation of Chase (Iain De Caestecker) in the attic was a great scene and looked so realistic (and I’ve read that this was practical effects rather than CGI).

I was expecting a Cloverfield link, but there wasn’t one.  I have since read that people just assumed with JJ Abrams being involved that there was a Cloverfield link, and the story spread, which is why I don’t always read too much beforehand to make my own mind up. It was a great standalone film and the lack of a Cloverfield link shouldn’t go against it.