A new trailer has landed for Steve Barker’s The Rezort ahead of its US digital release on January 17th. The film is set in a time when humans have begun to rebuild the world following a devastating zombie outbreak. The titular island retreat is a closely controlled environment in which guests can pay for the cathartic pleasure of slaying zombies with no danger to themselves. Think Westworld with zombies and you’re not too far off.
The third feature from director Barker – who previously helmed 2008’s Outpost and its sequel – The Rezort stars Dougray Scott (Dark Water, The Vatican Tapes), Jessica De Gouw (These Final Hours), Martin McCann (Clash of the Titans), Elen Rhys (Season of the Witch, World War Z) Brit TV regular Claire Goose (Waking the Dead, Casualty) and Jassa Ahluwalia (Some Girls).
I caught The Rezort at Frightfest last year and, while it hardly revolutionises the zombie film, it does place the undead flesh-munchers into a new environment, and has a lot of fun with the corporate, holiday camp setting. Here’s the official word:
The Rezort sets its story in a world after an almost-apocalyptic zombie outbreak. Humans have won the war and are exploring how humanity can recover after such a huge percentage of the population has been wiped out.
Humankind finally has the upper hand, but Melanie, who lost her entire family, is still deeply traumatised. In a bid to overcome the demons of her past, she goes on a zombie safari retreat. It is the ultimate in therapeutic revenge.
The Rezort is actually a highly controlled and monitored environment, with a maze of concealed security cameras, restraints and barriers. The eyes and ears of trained security personnel are on the guests 24/7, ensuring a safe shooting distance between the living and the undead. That is until the resort’s security system is hacked and a computer virus crashes it, potentially unleashing thousands of bloodthirsty zombies back into the wild.
Words: Kevan Farrow (@KevanX)