One Cut of the Dead Review | The Best Film About Filmmaking

When we discuss the “best” film about filmmaking, horror is typically not the first genre that comes to our minds. 

Of course, there have been horror movies that revolutionized film, and there is also the designated “found footage” subgenre which teases viewers about the behind-the-scenes processes of filming. In fact, The Blair Witch Project, and even the CCTV horror flick, Paranormal Activity, have been somewhat about filmmaking though they may not appear so at first.

On the contrary, when it comes to the process of filmmaking, titles like Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Mank, Babylon, Ed Wood, La La Land, etc. take center stage as they try their chances at winning an Oscar (though none of these did more than 2 minutes of filmmaking). 

However, when one gives it an honest thought, it can be a worthy debate to decide which of these two polarized categories ‘inspired’ or encouraged movie lovers more into becoming a cinephile or, more importantly, an aspiring filmmaker wanting to create their own movies. 

And beneath the surface, the evidence suggests that it’s the not-so-honorable horror genre that’s more vital in helping wannabe filmmakers pursue their dreams. 

Simply searching a short film on YouTube will likely generate more horror flicks than any other genre. It really echoes the genre’s impact, proving it has been more than just a redundant guilty pleasure.

One Cut of the Dead Review | Film About Filmmaking

With that being said, the 2017 Japanese film, One Cut of the Dead, presents this case in more than just words but in style as well.

It blends every genre requisite to make a film about filmmaking. Ironically, drama, or any other pretentiousness for that matter, is not really a part of it. One Cut of the Dead perfectly blends satire and meta commentary from Scream, zombies from the Living Dead series, and horror-comedy from Zombieland, into the aforementioned Oscar-favorites; something, perhaps, no other film has ever done. 

In three words, it’s revolutionary, entertaining, and emotional. 

That last word is not necessarily seen in the film itself but felt through the hearts of true film lovers in the film’s final 30 minutes.

At just over 90 minutes, One Cut of the Dead is like a jackpot combination of three distinct movies of 30 minutes each. 

Act 1

The first act is an honest zombie horror, impressively done in a single take. The small fragments of story details reveal that the characters are, in fact, shooting a zombie-horror film themselves until actual zombies attack the set and the two lead actors have to fight their way out. It’s impressively done, thanks to the titular ‘one cut’ that justifies a solid 8/10 entertainment from this film, or rather – this film within the film?

That’s right. As it turns out, this film also has plenty of plot twists. 

Act 2

The next 30 minutes reveal that the film we just watched about zombies attacking a film crew, was actually a film within the film. The characters were a film crew on a zombie film set where real zombies actually start attacking the film crew. 

This second act of the film reveals the reasons and the stakes that we did not know while watching the explosive initial part. 

This dialogue-heavy portion of the film introduces new characters, such as the producers, director, and set coordinators; it pretty much proves why most drama films cannot lure audiences like horror movies do. 

Thanks to some really boring minutes, although necessary for plot context, One Cut of the Dead officially shifts its gear down and begins to feel more like a mere 6/10.

Act 3

It is beyond admiration how well the chaotic final 30 minutes – considering all the boredom, redundant lines, and exposition we just witnessed– pays off and turns One Cut of the Dead into an entirely different film; a rare example of perfection. 

Cinema, filmmaking, originality, patience, persistence, everything at their finest. 

To prove that, one can just take a look at their fellow watch-party members, or at their own reflection in a mirror. One of the most honest smiles would likely be raising the beauty of their (or your) faces. 

It is a 10/10. 

The One Cut of the Dead that we saw in the first 30 minutes returns with a bang in this final act. 

We see three different crews shooting that same zombie-horror film (and each other) to film this ‘film within film.’ 

In a plot of meta proportions, the on-screen director is determined to shoot a ‘live television special within film’ showcasing how that continuous shot had been achieved, while the actual crew is keeping an eye on the two on-screen crews as well as keeping an eye on each other.

It’s not only the technical achievement, but the heart and dedication that echoes louder than any other background score would have. 

We see crew members giving it their all– injuries and replacements, running and falling over the ground while handling cameras, defecating on-screen, ad-libbing to kill time, building a pyramid in absence of a crane, and lots and lots of improvisation – just so the film is not spoiled.

Any imperfection due to the crew lacking superhuman abilities only adds to the perfection of One Cut of the Dead. 

In Conclusion…

Originally titled Kamera o Tomeru na! — translated as “Don’t Stop the Camera” — One Cut of the Dead orchestrates absolute justice to both George Romero’s namesake subgenre and the ‘one cut.’ The movie truly deserves to be counted alongside works like 1917, Birdman, and Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes, the last being another high-concept Japanese indie flick.

As the credits roll, most of us feel the satisfaction of investing our time in this film, while a few, including me, are already inspired to make our own movies and dig for ideas.

Director Shin’ichirō Ueda who also wrote and edited the film (but ironically doesn’t appear in it) does a tremendous job to get it all together — the running, the balance between artistic shaky and shaky, but not sloppy — bringing this beautifully chaotic story to life. 

The very limited budget of around $25,000 only helps in keeping his vision more grounded giving audiences something they can watch and admire from up close.

Rating: 8.3/10

What did you think about One Cut of the Dead? Have you been inspired to make your own film? Let me know in the comments below!

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Peace, love, and lots of popcorn,

IMO