The Sadness (2021) User Reviews

"The crossed" in asian version

[heretic369 · 6/10 · 4 February 2022]

What is the human without constraints? A monster.. In "the sadness" a virus mutation transforms the infected! - this has nothing to do with zombies, nothing at all - into such unregulated creatures.

For fans of "the crossed" from Garth Ennis, this will be quite known territory. Although where Crossed can show this happening at a broader scale "the sadness" always seems quite limited. Even though there are a few nice Splatter scenes and especially the beginning is quite atmospheric, the more the movie nears it´s -predictable- ending, the less is actually happening.

Six points for the bravery to actually try this kind of stuff. Could have been much better though.

Extreme

[danieltucher · 6/10 · 1 September 2021]

The Sadness is pretty much what I expected (and hoped for) judging from the trailers.

A completely bonkers and hyper violent & disturbing movie that is an intense viewing experience.

While there are some attempts at social commentary, there is not much besides the mayhem and gore going on - but I think most people will be fine with that.

Pseudo-allegory

[JayDeeezy · 6/10 · 21 May 2022]

This is a hot one right now. It promises violence and definitely delivers on that front. Some, however, are praising it for its commentary on the COVID pandemic but I found its messages to be pretty thin. I think there was potential for a profound allegory but it merely toys at one here and there and then remembers what it is - a nihilistic gorefest. I will say it has great production value and some very memorable shots. It will appease the twisted side of the hardcore horror fan - it superficially prioritizes shock value and I suppose it's worth a viewing out of pure curiosity. In the end though, I didn't find it to be too special in the grand scheme of zombie/Crazies-type films.

A sick movie, plenty of explicit violence. An interesting production for horror fans.

[fciocca · 6/10 · 29 August 2023]

"The Sadness" is one of the most violent and sickest films that I watched in 2023. The setup is interesting and the "zombies" are not the usual mindless and slow monsters roaming around. They are really dangerous because the virus does not inhibit their brain and it actually strengthens their violence. Moreover, the makeup was top notch and they looked truly scary. I liked the fact that there was some kind of villain that was chasing down one of the main characters. The danger felt closer and more personal and it added a captivating layer to the story. However, the script is pretty basic and plot wise there is really nothing peculiar. The acting was just okay and none of the performances could really grab my attention. The dialogues are lazy and after a while it just gets boring hearing vulgarities from these monsters. I mean, I get it, whoever is infected becomes extremely depraved; there is no need to reiterate the concept for one hour and a half.

I have watched many incredibly twisted scenes in my life, but in this specific case there were some things that were really difficult to stand. For sure it is not a film for families or for people with a weak stomach. The practical effects are well done and the attack scenes are directed competently. I believe that this film will make happy body horror fans. My final mark is in line with the average: 6.5 stars out of 10.

The closest movie adaptation of crossed and I loved it

[matthewwallace-93374 · 7/10 · 14 April 2022]

This is your classic shock horror film thats disturbing to the average movie buff, straight off the bat my first though was the comic series 'crossed', however crossed is way extreme, the sadness is like a watered down movie adaptation, the gore, the sadistic acts this infection causes its hosts is comically over the top but not to a point where its too much, the subway scene not long into the film gives you just a taste for what you are getting yourself into.

Blood, gore, vulgar language and eye gouging.

I really liked this one.

In saying if you cant stomach it do not read the crossed comics.

One of the most nihilistic movies I've seen.

[sebvelez15 · 16 April 2022]

After a slow introduction, this film soon becomes one of the most nightmarish horror experiences and you will surely be left with the most bitter taste ever.

Up to you whether this is a bad or good thing!

Gory and brutal, but not an outstanding horror movie...

[paul_haakonsen · 6/10 · 22 May 2022]

Now I read somewhere online that someone had written something in the likes of "if you're just going to watch one zombie movie this year, make it this one". And that made me actually take notice of the 2021 Taiwanese horror movie "Ku Bei" (aka "The Sadness"). I had initially skipped it back in 2021, and then sought it out here in 2022, as I read that praise of the movie.

So it was with some expectation that I sat down to watch what writer and director Rob Jabbaz had to offer with "Ku Bei". And I will say that it was watchable, for sure, but it just wasn't all that fantastic or outstanding. And the "if you're just going to watch..." sentence hardly rang true for "Ku Bei". As a matter of fact, then "Ku Bei" felt like a Taiwanese tribute to the 2002 movie "28 Days Later", as there were massive similarities.

And as for "Ku Bei" being a zombie movie. No. It is not a zombie movie. Very much similar to "28 Days Later", "Ku Bei" is a movie about people getting affected with some sickness that makes them into raging lunatics that also have cannibalistic and sexual deviant tendencies.

I wasn't familiar with the cast ensemble in the movie, but then again I am not well-traversed in the Taiwanese cinema.

The good part about "Ku Bei" was the gore and mayhem. This movie was bloody, so very, very bloody. In fact, at times it was just too much. There was a scene where there literally was a fountain of blood spraying from the neck of someone. I have to say that I was good and ready to turn the movie off at that time, because it was just infantile stupid. But I opted to stick with the movie and give writer and director Rob Jabbaz a proper chance.

The effects in "Ku Bei" were good. There was a ton of blood and gore, which I enjoyed. And I have to say that the effects looked realistic, and it added a lot of enjoyment to the movie. So thumbs up to the special effects department for this accomplishment.

"Ku Bei" is watchable, as I mentioned earlier, but it is by no means a revolutionary movie in the horror genre. Sure, I enjoyed the mayhem, gore and visceral brutality in the movie. I am a life-long gorehound after all. However, I doubt that I will ever return to watch "Ku Bei" a second time, simply as the storyline just doesn't have enough depth or contents to support a second viewing.

Personally, I think the whole sexual deviant aspect to the infection in the movie was unnecessary, and it just added a level of sleaze to the movie that held it back somewhat. And there were some scenes in the movie that also were unnecessary to include on that account. But hey, a matter of personal preference, I suppose. But if you are a true hentai - go for it.

My rating of "Ku Bei" lands on a six out of ten stars.

Amazing gore but weak on script

[H1DEK1 · 6/10 · 2 May 2022]

The introductory part of the film is weak and not enough information is given to us to get to know the characters. Things are happening fast. There are problems with the script in general, and there are also some problems with the flow of the film. There are several unexplained parts in the film. How does one of them spread the virus?.. The make-up is quite successful, but when gore is used a lot, it doesn't seem very disturbing and impressive to the viewer after a while. The acting of the leading girl and the boy is not good enough and they cannot come to the fore. The pervert on the subway is the most prominent character in my opinion. In general, it's a movie that can be called good, but it didn't meet my expectations, I was expecting something different.

Extreme Horror

[Pairic · 8/10 · 25 October 2021]

The Sadness: Taiwanese horror film set in Taipei. The Alvin virus is at a pandemic scale but the deniers say it's a hoax or a political stunt. A virologist warns that Alvin may mutate into something akin to Rabies but is laughed. He may not have the last laugh but he's right, people turn savage killing each other with any weapon to hand. A young couple become separated and the narrative centres on their encounters with the infected and their attempts rendezvous again. This must be the goriest film I've ever seen, throats are bitten out, people eaten alive. In a subway car severed jugular veins and arteries spray the passengers with blood as more fall prey to the mutated virus. These are not Zombies (though one does go after brains), they live but stay dead when killed, they laugh manically as they attack, kill, torture and abuse but seem to retain their intelligence and ability to reason apart from the uncontrollable violence. This is not a film for the squeamish or fainthearted, kilometres of intestines are strewn about along with an ocean of gore. There are some elements of black comedy but this an in your tale of terror and not one you'll forget in a hurry. Written & Directed by Rob Jabbaz in his triumphant feature film directorial debut. 8/10.

Takashi Miike Gone Wrong...

[Xstal · 6/10 · 4 June 2022]

There's a virus manifests within your mind, if you catch it inner demons will unwind, with some great special defects, a morgue of bodies to dissect, black cataracts will catch your eyes and make you blind.

Depraved, violent, blood everywere, weak script

[redtiago · 5/10 · 13 September 2021]

I saw Friday at MotelX

It is being commercially promoted, i think not from the director he only wanted to make a film appealing to the most "harcore" fans of the genre, as innovator, with a new variant of zombies. With human beings alive but infected by a virus that attacks the brain, causing them to behave without being able to repress the most basic instincts of violence and sex.

It's an idea that I like as a premise for a horror film, but it's not at all new, "The Crazies" direted in 1973 by Master George A. Romero had this premise and this one in my opinion is a a much better movie, well done and with a much better script.

"The Sadness" is more violent and depraved, but the plot is very basic and then it's just gore, liters and liters of blood, sometimes well executed, sometimes not, clearly noticing the rubber.

As a fan of "hardcore" horror, i liked this rampant slaughter, but I have to be honest and admit that it's just an average movie, very well promoted, albeit wrongly, as an innovator, one of the most violent and depraved ever.

There are far better Asian zombie movies like the much-recognized "Train do Busain" or the lesser-known but high-quality Chinese saga "the way home". This one is clearly not in that league. But watch, judge for yourselves...

As extreme and disturbing as everyone said it was going to be

[manuelasaez · 8/10 · 11 April 2022]

There are few movies that push the envelope so much that you wonder how they were even able to be released. Movies like Martyrs, Irreversible, Inside ect. Are all films that make you wonder "How did anyone come up with such a twisted film and how did it ever get released?". This is one of those movies. In fact, this movie takes it one step further; it actually shows you everything that can go wrong if your basic violent instinct were left unchecked. It's a raw, gritty, over the top spectacle that that never lets you forget that this is just a movie and things like this can't really happen, right? RIGHT?!?!

Things kick off almost as soon as the movie begins, and they really don't let up throughout. You have every single extreme horror trope thrown in here, everything you could possibly see in your average horror movie can be found here; dismemberment, blood, carnage, evisceration, a bloody orgy. I mean, the only thing it doesn't show is the more extreme stuff that no one wants to see anyway and that never warrants a mention, but for true gore hounds and fans of movie such as those from the French Extremity, this is right up your alley.

The acting is great, the effects are realistic and comically well done and excessive, and the movie is just a truly entertaining watch from beginning to end. You know it's going to end in a messed up way but you watch anyway, simply because everyone put their true heart and soul into this film. The SFX crew in particular should be commended at creating some of the best facial deformities I have ever seen. During some scenes, I literally said, "How the hell did they do THAT?!?".

Many people have been comparing this film to the comic book series "CROSSED" and I can see where the similarities can be found. But let's be real, folks; half the stuff in Crossed could NEVER be used in a movie, and this film is tame compared to some of the truly twisted and sick things that happened in that comic book.

I loved every minute of this film, and although it's nasty and extreme and vulgar, it never lets you forget that despite all that, it's just a movie. Most people won't like it, and deservedly so. But for those of us who do enjoy this type of film, it's one of the rare ones that truly lives up to the hype.

I was thoroughly impressed in every possible way with this movie, but I deducted 2 stars simply because I felt it could have gone further. Perhaps an uncut version will be released down the line and make me eat my words. Fingers CROSSED!!!! (Get it?!?!)

Redefined zombie

[Junsail · 7/10 · 8 April 2022]

The most violent film in the history of Chinese film, the blood level is average, but the imaginative sadism and close-up shots cause serious physical discomfort, the violent and strange atmosphere is full of hostility, and challenges the physiology. The black pupils are like an abyss. Don't dare to stare for long.

High-end gore with no substance

[eddie_baggins · 5/10 · 15 June 2022]

Creating quite the stir with his debut effort behind the camera, Canadian born but Taiwan based director Rob Jabbaz's visceral and uncompromising gore-filled horror The Sadness never shy's away from its depraved and wild set-up but while it's sure to shock and keep you watching (if your stomach allows it), there's a coldness and narrative void here the film can't overcome, halting it from becoming the must-watch genre experience of the year.

Gaining notoriety at various festivals across the world and garnering larger hype after its release recently on horror streaming service Shudder, The Sadness has managed to draw viewers in through attention in the press and word of mouth occurrences and for anyone that is expecting a bloodthirsty escapade that explores the city of Taipei thrown into chaos when a plague turns many of its citizens into murderous and raving lunatics, Jabbaz film will provide the exact type of offering their seeking but it's unfortunate the central characters and plot-line don't connect to make all the insanity something more than pure shock value.

Wasting little time getting stuck into the action (horror) of his film, deep fried goodness included, Jabbaz tries to give his film some heart and soul with Berant Zhu and Regina Lei's loved up couple Jim and Katie becoming our hosts in amongst the depravity of the Taiwanese plague but despite the best attempts of his lead duo, their quest to be reunited in the chaos unfolding around them never really clicks into gear, making much of The Sadness's plot paper thin at best and with little reason to care about outcomes of the films characters, there's only so far this feature can go on the back of its sensory overload.

There's little denying in this sensory sense that The Sadness is one of the most unforgettable and eye opening genre efforts in some time and Jabbaz does instil this affair with a sense of kinetic energy that captures the insanity and wild nature of this premise, that while over the top in almost all instances, strikes a different kind of chord after the Covid-19 era of our lives and while it's not an entirely unique premise, with the film feeling like a zombie film that isn't while touches on familiar ground to a film such as The Crazies, there is a unique and memorable nature to this film that is found amongst all the lesser elements.

Final Say -

A film that may be too much for many to handle, The Sadness never holds back when it comes to the shock and awe factor of its story but with an inability to make us care and a faltering in the storytelling department, this blood-soaked horror is never close to being the classic it might have been.

2 1/2 umbrellas out of 5.

For more reviews check out Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys)

some feelings

[j_movie · 7/10 · 27 August 2021]

Online viewing of Locarno Film Festival. This film has really wanted to see for a long time. Together with "Curse" and "psychic medium", it has become the most anticipated Asian horror film of the three major years for fans. Actually, the impression after reading is general, and there may have been enough psychological expectations, so the presentation of plasma and violence is still acceptable. But the plot is really much weaker than expected. In the end, I didn't fully understand the way the virus spread. Moreover, it is not a zombie film. The infected people in the film still retain human consciousness and thinking, and even can speak normally. Only the most violent and dirty side of the body is stimulated, just like people have to blink, they can't control it at all. This is probably why the director said that this film wants to highlight the "evil" side of human nature. With the epidemic situation as a big environment worth pondering, we can probably understand what the director wants to express. However, compared with Busan, it also presents the evil of human nature in an extreme environment, and the characterization is much worse. There is even no character emotion at all, which naturally becomes a simple class B film. However, we can still see the director trying to add some caution to some scenes, such as the audience who still don't forget to take out their mobile phones to shoot even though there is a river of blood on the subway, such as the president who talks and gives history lessons to panicked people but can't take effective action, such as the doctor who thinks he is just and dignified but experiments with babies... Of course, these people have no good end, The director may also want to use this way to make some of his own voice. There should be more extensive discussion when resources are available.

Too much rape !

[DontFreakImUnique · 21 April 2022]

Hardly managed to finish this movie started of okay but didn't last long,I'm someone who loves gore but this was just to distressing was very disappointed in this.

Bloody fun

[Horror_Flick_Fanatic · 6/10 · 9 May 2022]

I am a fan of Asian horror. I just love how different their films are from American horror. If you like virus outbreak and zombie films with lots of gory bloody scenes, then this film is for you. While not quite as well made as South Korean movies like Train to Busan (2016) or I Saw The Devil (2010) , The Sadness is still jammed pack with bloody violent scenes and some sexual perversion. Yeah, this Taiwanese film throws PC culture out the window and goes full throttle into every despicable act that people can do to each other. It's kind of like how American horror films were back in the good ole 70s. This is definitely a popcorn thriller that will entertain horror fans.

Hardcore Splatter-gore - Not For The Squeamish

[omendata · 6/10 · 20 May 2022]

Wow, the first 30 minutes of this film are a pure masterclass in high stakes zombie/crazies style gore with one of the most realistic falls from a tall building/splat to the pavement scenes I have ever seen, closely followed by a "Meet Joe Black" car vs body scissor-gore moment but the standout scene is the subway train melee with more blood and gore than I think I have ever seen in a film.

Unfortunately the film loses its way as soon as the two protagonists reach the hospital and from there on in it descends into a miasma of chop, slash and random blood spatter, mixed with some truly gruesome and to many people, highly offensive rape scenes, which spoiled what was an excellent start to a new zombie-crazies style pandemic end of world scenario which I am a big fan of.

Undoubtedly the Asians are now the master of the Zombie end of days genre, with the West losing its way with TWD and just about any other new zombie-pandemic rubbish they come out with and this film, even though it lost its direction half way through, still beats most of the Hollywood nonsense into a cocked hat, so I am giving this one a very fair above average 6 hatchets out of 10 on this one!

solid epidemic horror movie with good practical effects, but less talented main cast

[Shadowboy_25cm · 6/10 · 20 April 2022]

Everyone who knows the Crossed comicbooks by writer Garth Ennis and artist Jacen Burrows and other writers and artist, knows what's coming:

It's not a Zombie flic. It's like 28 Days Later: A mutated virus transforms the infected in angry, violent, no-strings-attached killers, rapists, cannibals and sadists. Unlike in 28 Days Later, the infected are not only in rage and act more or less like Zombies, here, they still remain some human intelligence and can think and talk. The infected can infect others by their blood, saliva or ejaculat. So, the numbers of the infected rise and the fight for survival may begin.

Based on actual events, this movie is a dark, grim and very black humorous comment about the Covid-19 pandemic.

Good things: The effects are handmade, very practical, a lot of latex, make-up and tons of blood.

The original score is electronic, minimalistic and reminds me of the synth sounds from 80s horror movies.

The setting is well done, the dark atmosphere builds up slowly.

Bad things: Really bad is the main cast, but also some of the supporting cast. Not well acted. Unfortunatelly the bad acting destroys a lot of the atmosphere and tension.

Some scenes are not well edited/choreographed (or not well written in the script). Might have been a budget problem.

At the final act, the last third of the movie, the story is too constructed, like a deus ex machina. Might also have been a budget problem.

Nontheless, this movie is a shocker, very gory and disturbing, but doesn't keep its atmosphere and tension to keep me as a viewer gripped.

Movies like the The Crazies remake and Battle Royale are gripping and manage to build up the tension and keep it constantly rising.

With better actors, a higher budget, some better editing and some modifications on the script/storytelling, this could have been a blast.

The movie is ok for what it is.

Getting Crazies with it

[kosmasp · 8/10 · 23 October 2021]

If you've not heard yet, the movie is quite infamous. Because it goes places (especially visually) that may be a bit too much for some viewers. As others surely have pointed out, the idea is not new. And you won't really see too much of a story here. Actually you may wonder if what we learn from the relationship that our two leads have, was in any way essential or necessary.

But before the mayhem begins, it is always nice to have some ... well quiet time. Also the beginning clearly is a statement - to all the conspiracy theories and to how the world has gone mad. Quite a few stabs at things going wrong - politically but also socially speaking.

That is not the only thing you get though. Apart from the overall plot being lifted from something like The Crazies by Romero, you also have homages to a lot of other scenes from many different movies. Irreversible, Night of the Living Dead, Serbian Film and so forth ... I reckon a second viewing would reveal even more to me.

As it is, this is no holds barred, mostly practical effects violent splatter fest ... take it or leave, just don't judge for something it isn't.

"The Crossed" x "The Crazies" x "Black Gas"

[Switcher1972 · 6/10 · 25 July 2022]

This one was super (i/e: too much) hyped, released in 80 screens in France (good game, distributor!) but met mixed reactions both from the press and the viewers. I guess everyone was looking for what the film wasn't intended to be - i/e: revolutionary.

Let's say it: it is generous and it shows, not for the fainted heart, definitely not your average PG-13 teen scare feast - more into the 80's gore rally, with some good production values (practical effects, photography, music). On the other hand, it suffers a bit from its budget, the characters (not to say the actors: they do the script penned for them) and the surprisingly weak narrative to build a tension. Of course, it is part of the game when you show this kind of movie but I guess i set the standards a bit too high - overhyped, told u.

Anyway, being a love letter to the genre, it is satisfying to see it released on the big screens - hope the distributor won't regret his bet. Some caught "social", political and satirical commentaries about how the world is turning to - that's right, but used more for fun than the Romero's way.

So "The Crossed" (don't forget "Black Gas" too) have an unofficial movie adaptation and "The Crazies" another unofficial remake. Another sign of the times. It will be interesting to follow the next projects of the writer/director.

Not for me. Torture porn

[Rancid_Planet · 4/10 · 25 December 2022]

This is not my thing. It's got a good cast and GREAT gore, blood etc but it goes way overboard with the sadistic stuff and that really sucks all of the fun out of it for me. Maybe if it wasn't soooo much it would have been ok but every instance of violence or cool kill has a moment where things just get way too dark and weird. It's unsettling and instead of going for scares and impressive visuals movies like this just want you to see the most depraved things they can think of and again, while I'm sure the Hostel, Human Centipede fans out there will love this movie, it just doesn't work for me.

Over the top and brilliant

[veganluke · 8/10 · 31 August 2021]

The Sadness is one of the most over the top, ridiculous films I have ever seen. I couldn't believe how gory this got. It's absolutely wild and I loved it so much. It's utterly disturbing too with some of the things it does. Just when you think it can't get anymore disturbing it ups that completely. It's fast paced, as soon as everything hits it just gets outrageous and it is brilliant. With it being full pedal to the metal and being incredibly stressful and tense. There's a moment it slows down and it's good to have this moment so you can have a breather before we get pulled back in and punched straight in the face with the extreme scenes and buckets of blood. The Sadness does have many horrific scenes and it's some of the most shocking stuff I've seen in some time. It is though one of the most brilliant Horrors I've seen recently, it's so well made, never holds back with how far it will go and keeps you on the edge throughout. I can't wait to watch this again!

It's not sadness It's gore ,mutilation and more gore.

[HotDoggyBoomBooM · 6/10 · 12 April 2022]

I expected it to be ruthless zombie gore flick but the story was half baked from the start not knowing what is this or how it happened or who gets it . It just moves on with the flow of nothingness just gore and more gore with mutilations and rape.

This is the first time i have seen a asian movie dwell deep into r-rated if that is what they wanted to achieve in the first place then they done well but not a movie for horror freaks in my opinion.

Gore for gore's sake

[Leofwine_draca · 4/10 · 9 December 2023]

As a big fan of Asian cinema I was hoping for a lot from THE SADNESS, but it totally let me down. I get the pandemic storyline, I love the wall-to-wall gore effects and emphasis on practical mayhem, but other than that, this is an entirely hollow experience. The acting is wonky at best and the characterisation rings totally hollow. The attempts at social commentary are heavy handed at best. Worst of all is the gross-out humour, which takes things far too far and leads to this being mean-spirited and unappealing. What I was hoping for was something more like Korea's fine PROJECT WOLF HUNTING, which has the same level of bloodshed but also delivers a thrilling story at the same time. This, it's just gore for gore's sake.