Outbreak (2024)

Note: I worked on the PR campaign for this film, but this review is unpaid and reflects my honest opinion.

Trouble in Mourning Rock State Park

Neil (Billy Burke) is a ranger in Mourning Rock State Park. When he receives the third call in a week about a violent dog in the park, Neil and his fellow ranger, John (Taylor Handley), along with Chief Mike (Raoul Max Trujillo), investigate the situation. At the scene, they successfully locate the dangerous dog, but Neil fails to shoot even when he has the opportunity. John steps in to save the day, but not before the dog attacks Chief Mike, leaving him seriously injured. As Neil gets into the car with the Chief after the incident, it’s clear that he’s struggling with something mysterious that happened in his past, which continues to affect both him and his wife, Abby (played by Alyshia Ochse). The Chief points out that Neil isn’t himself anymore and suggests that he take a much-needed vacation.

Flashbacks, Loss, and Emotional Struggles

As the story unfolds, we learn more about why Neil seems distracted and unfocused. Through a series of flashbacks, we discover that Neil’s son mysteriously disappeared without a trace. Compounding this tragedy is the ongoing conflict between Neil and Abby, as both are suffering. Neil is at a breaking point and feels ready to leave this life behind.

A Dark Turn and a Shocking Discovery

In a moment of despair, he takes his firearm and walks to a nearby lake, contemplating ending it all. However, there is someone in the water who needs help. But when Neil goes to assist, he discovers that the person is infected with something that is causing them to react violently. To his horror, Neil realises there are more infected individuals around. In a matter of seconds, Neil finds a renewed will to live and a determination to protect as many people in the community as possible from this new form of virus. Are the infected tied to the various dog attacks? Could it be rabies? Or is it something far worse? Armed with weapons, Neil and Abby set out to save themselves and protect the entire world from this looming threat.

Genre-Bending with Horror, Drama, and Mystery

Outbreak focuses on the sudden and unexpected outbreak of a mysterious virus that infects community members and spans multiple genres, including horror. The film also features intriguing thriller elements and compelling drama, particularly through the interactions between Neil and his wife. The thriller aspect is heightened by the circumstances surrounding the outbreak and the strange disappearance of Neil’s 17-year-old son. Jeff Wolfe co-wrote the film with Lance Ochsner, based on a concept by Erik Aude, and also directed this in his directorial debut of a feature-length movie. Wolfe also has experience with a few short films and has worked in acting and stunts on over 50 titles for television and film.

Effective Scares and a Memorable Twist

Honestly, movies about zombies or the infected are nothing new. However, Outbreak aims to bring fresh concepts and ideas to the screen. One of the film’s strongest aspects is the style, makeup, and overall appearance of the infected characters. They look and sound impressive, making them a credible threat as Neil tries to stay safe and searches for refuge. Throughout his journey, Neil channels his frustrations into confronting the infected. I was genuinely invested in uncovering the outcomes of the outbreak and Neil’s son. As a bonus, the film concluded with an unexpected twist that I did not see coming.

Uneven Dialogue and Pacing Issues

Whilst I appreciated the mystery elements, the dialogue throughout was hit and miss for me. When Neil interacted with his wife, it felt more suitable to a TV soap drama, and the simple musical score didn’t help either. The pacing is an interesting topic. The film was exciting and heightened whenever Neil encountered the infected unexpectedly. Still, these moments often seemed to pass quickly, and the film would then fall back into its mediocre drama. The start also took some patience to get underway.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Outbreak presents a solid mix of strengths and weaknesses. The infected characters are visually impressive and threatening, raising the stakes for the film’s lead. Although the story takes some time to develop, it becomes rewarding when the protagonist suddenly finds himself on high alert and frantic. The film also includes an intriguing element of mystery and suspense, culminating in a twist ending that took me by surprise, which was a delightful addition. While the concept of infected, zombie-like creatures is not new, the film attempts to introduce fresh angles and ideas that I found enjoyable. However, some dramatic moments felt out of place and more suited to a midday soap opera, and the accompanying musical score during these scenes did not enhance the experience. Ultimately, Outbreak is worth watching if you’re looking for a horror film that offers a new perspective on the theme of infected humans.

Outbreak (2024) will be Available on DVD and digital on July 2nd, thanks to Defiant Screen Entertainment!