The French film "La Horde" doesn't exactly bring a fresh approach to the over saturated zombie genre, yet is still entertaining enough for what it is. It benefits from its breakneck pace and intensity, and is just as much about character as it is bloodshed. (Not that it skimps in the gore department at all, though, far from it.) A quartet of detectives - Aurore (Claude Perron), Ouessem (Jean-Pierre Martins), Jimenez (Aurelien Recoing), and Tony (Antoine Oppenheim), find the dead body of a colleague and turn rogue, vowing to avenge his death. Unfortunately, things don't go as planned: first, their quarry, gangster Adewale (Eriq Ebouaney), is able to get the drop on them, and start torturing them, then this big mess becomes an even bigger one when scores upon scores of the living dead start to overwhelm humanity, as the apocalypse seems to have begun. While this is all pretty predictable in terms of the script, "La Horde" does manage to entertain by ensuring that its audience never gets bored. It starts quietly enough, but soon it's kicked itself into a high gear and has stayed there. Some zombie cinema lovers may take exception to the fact that these are very FAST zombies, as well as to the generous array of digital rather than practical carnage, but if you don't concern yourself too much with those elements, you may find this a reasonable viewing experience. The characters, by and large, are NOT sympathetic, including the cops, so the lack of rooting interest may make this hard for some people to follow. Still, as in any film with a similar premise, there is a certain amusement in seeing cops and crooks alike being forced to team up in order to survive - and, as we can see, the crooks aren't completely one- dimensional. The acting is good for this sort of thing. Both Martins and Ebouaney have a formidable screen presence, and Martins has one hell of a great exit where he truly goes down fighting. While "La Horde" may not be among the most stimulating films of its kind - at least in an intellectual way - one could definitely do far worse, as it manages to maintain a fever pitch for much of its duration. Seven out of 10.
85 Reviews
Much better than it deserved to be
mstomaso15 May 2011
Not recommended for fans of typical zombie films.
Recommended for those who have been waiting for an independent horror film which does not simply make fun of the genre.
A team of angry Parisian police officers vow revenge against a gang lead by two Nigerian brothers who have recently killed a friend of theirs. They lead a seemingly suicidal, unsanctioned, raid on the gang's compound and are almost immediately captured. As the torture, interrogation, and killing of police slowly reaches an apex, it becomes apparent that the cops and gangsters should probably be the least of each other's worries. Inexplicably, zombies are destroying civilization, and Paris is burning. Don't be fooled by the complete absurdity of this premise. The Horde, though redolent with the usual genre-defining campiness and cliché, is not a self-parody, and does not bother to explain itself.
Aside from Mr. Romero's more serious efforts, I have rarely seen a zombie film which was created with the level of TLC that went into The Horde. Most of the characters actually have their own personalities and the acting is good. The script is, though predictable, a lot less absurd than the usual horror film, and never insults your intelligence. Though the film is not utterly humorless, it stops well short of comedy, and carries its plot admirably. The visual effects and choreography are excellent. Claude Perron's fight scenes are especially entertaining.
Recommended for those who have been waiting for an independent horror film which does not simply make fun of the genre.
A team of angry Parisian police officers vow revenge against a gang lead by two Nigerian brothers who have recently killed a friend of theirs. They lead a seemingly suicidal, unsanctioned, raid on the gang's compound and are almost immediately captured. As the torture, interrogation, and killing of police slowly reaches an apex, it becomes apparent that the cops and gangsters should probably be the least of each other's worries. Inexplicably, zombies are destroying civilization, and Paris is burning. Don't be fooled by the complete absurdity of this premise. The Horde, though redolent with the usual genre-defining campiness and cliché, is not a self-parody, and does not bother to explain itself.
Aside from Mr. Romero's more serious efforts, I have rarely seen a zombie film which was created with the level of TLC that went into The Horde. Most of the characters actually have their own personalities and the acting is good. The script is, though predictable, a lot less absurd than the usual horror film, and never insults your intelligence. Though the film is not utterly humorless, it stops well short of comedy, and carries its plot admirably. The visual effects and choreography are excellent. Claude Perron's fight scenes are especially entertaining.
Insanely Gore and Violent
claudio_carvalho17 May 2010
When detective Mathias Rivoallan is found murdered by the gang led by the Nigerian Markudi (Eriq Ebouaney), detectives Jimenez (Aurélien Recoing), Aurore (Claude Perron), Ouessem (Jean-Pierre Martins) and Tony (Antoine Oppenheim) decide to revenge the death of his friend. The vigilantes plot bloodshed, executing Markudi, his brother Bola (Doudou Masta) and the other gangsters in the abandoned building where they are gathered. However, things go wrong when the watchman arrives and the violent gang subdues the quartet and tortures them. Meanwhile, the lookouts of the gang hear explosions, sirens and the weird sound of rabble. Sooner the survivors discover that the building is under siege of a horde of walking dead and the hungered zombies want to eat them. Ouesseem and Aurore team up with Markudi, Bola, Grego (Jo Prestia) and the veteran René (Yves Pignot) and together they have to fight against the zombies trying to find an exit from the building.
"La Horde" is an insanely gore and violent French horror film. The gore recalls "Braindead", but without the black humor of the trash cult movie of Peter Jackson. The plot is full of action, but none of the characters is likable. The origin of the walking dead is not developed and has only a minor explanation on television that mentions an epidemic. On the contrary of George Romero's slow zombies, in this flick they run like hell. My vote is six.
Title (Brazil): "Legião do Mal" ("Legion of the Evil")
"La Horde" is an insanely gore and violent French horror film. The gore recalls "Braindead", but without the black humor of the trash cult movie of Peter Jackson. The plot is full of action, but none of the characters is likable. The origin of the walking dead is not developed and has only a minor explanation on television that mentions an epidemic. On the contrary of George Romero's slow zombies, in this flick they run like hell. My vote is six.
Title (Brazil): "Legião do Mal" ("Legion of the Evil")
A group of cops go to an apartment block to exact revenge on a gang of criminals for the murder of a family member... when their plans are thwarted by zombies!
danrenouf10 September 2010
Warning: Spoilers
You get a slight impression that the film unfolds without attempting to appease the viewer or tick the conventional boxes of audience expectation.
The attempt to exact revenge goes wrong very quickly and before too long zombies flock towards the building. The situation is an unlikely lifeline for the cops who are slated for executed at the hands of their captors. However, together they become the hunted.
The opening encounter with the infected feels unplanned and realistic, a confused and messy affair which causes two opposing forces, cops and robbers, to adopt a common purpose, survival. (Obviously, its a zombie movie, stupid). This is exemplified in a speech by Ouessem when joining rank with the bad guys.
None of the characters stood out as immediately likable or otherwise, but there weren't any lines or scenes that felt forced or unnatural in light of the film's events. The atmosphere was suitable, dark corridors usually do the trick, and the sense that in that gloom was something left dripping or neglected encouraged the theme of isolation.
The character motives outlive the building siege in the end. Aurore, the female lead character, is still driven by her original motive and nothing deters her from it. The consistency is done well, just because the building has come under attack from the undead doesn't mean the bad guys turn good, or that the good guys have to achieve some sort of major character ark.
There are moments that connect with the wider zombie genre which are succinct and cruel, when several characters mock a zombie with a severed head, a grim group mentality is portrayed. Their behavior is challenged by the lead villain,Markudi,who reminds his brother, Bola, of the horrors back home in Nigeria.
Zombie movies typically indulge in the opportunity to show a dark side of humanity. La Horde does this well, but also features characters with depth and motive which exceeds the restriction of their confine and current situation.
The action scenes are also top notch. There was a spark of dark humor because the fight scenes with zombies were so physical. It was the first time I'd seen such conflict between the zombie and the human. In several scenes zombie butt-kicking ensues, literally.
The final third of the film sees the group shrink. There are a couple of events that show several characters being voluntarily heroic, but this is done in an understated way. Those who take the fall on behalf of the group do so while being consistent with their character, so heroic acts don't come out of nowhere and don't seem corny.
The closing of the film sees the female lead deliver her message, not deterred by the zombie siege. This film left me guessing until the end who was going to survive and who wasn't.
All in all, not the best zombie film, but as a grim portrayal of survival with characters that are consistent and action scenes that are slick looking, well choreographed, and plenty gory, not bad at all.
The attempt to exact revenge goes wrong very quickly and before too long zombies flock towards the building. The situation is an unlikely lifeline for the cops who are slated for executed at the hands of their captors. However, together they become the hunted.
The opening encounter with the infected feels unplanned and realistic, a confused and messy affair which causes two opposing forces, cops and robbers, to adopt a common purpose, survival. (Obviously, its a zombie movie, stupid). This is exemplified in a speech by Ouessem when joining rank with the bad guys.
None of the characters stood out as immediately likable or otherwise, but there weren't any lines or scenes that felt forced or unnatural in light of the film's events. The atmosphere was suitable, dark corridors usually do the trick, and the sense that in that gloom was something left dripping or neglected encouraged the theme of isolation.
The character motives outlive the building siege in the end. Aurore, the female lead character, is still driven by her original motive and nothing deters her from it. The consistency is done well, just because the building has come under attack from the undead doesn't mean the bad guys turn good, or that the good guys have to achieve some sort of major character ark.
There are moments that connect with the wider zombie genre which are succinct and cruel, when several characters mock a zombie with a severed head, a grim group mentality is portrayed. Their behavior is challenged by the lead villain,Markudi,who reminds his brother, Bola, of the horrors back home in Nigeria.
Zombie movies typically indulge in the opportunity to show a dark side of humanity. La Horde does this well, but also features characters with depth and motive which exceeds the restriction of their confine and current situation.
The action scenes are also top notch. There was a spark of dark humor because the fight scenes with zombies were so physical. It was the first time I'd seen such conflict between the zombie and the human. In several scenes zombie butt-kicking ensues, literally.
The final third of the film sees the group shrink. There are a couple of events that show several characters being voluntarily heroic, but this is done in an understated way. Those who take the fall on behalf of the group do so while being consistent with their character, so heroic acts don't come out of nowhere and don't seem corny.
The closing of the film sees the female lead deliver her message, not deterred by the zombie siege. This film left me guessing until the end who was going to survive and who wasn't.
All in all, not the best zombie film, but as a grim portrayal of survival with characters that are consistent and action scenes that are slick looking, well choreographed, and plenty gory, not bad at all.
Brains! Sautés au beurre, s'il vous plaît.
lastliberal-853-25370815 May 2011
There is always an argument among zombie purists. Should the walk slow as in most zombie films, or can they run? This is the running type, so the purists may be disappointed.
Yes, there was blood and gore - plenty of it. No self-respecting zombie movie can exist without it, just as no self-respecting vampire movie would eschew blood for glitter.
It was non-stop action from start to finish. As you would expect in real life, it was loud, very loud. These people were literally screaming for their lives.
The ending was predicable, but effective nonetheless. Just could not take my eyes off Claude Perron (Amélie) throughout the film. She did a superb job, as did Eriq Ebouaney (Lumumba, Hit-man, Transporter 3).
Yes, there was blood and gore - plenty of it. No self-respecting zombie movie can exist without it, just as no self-respecting vampire movie would eschew blood for glitter.
It was non-stop action from start to finish. As you would expect in real life, it was loud, very loud. These people were literally screaming for their lives.
The ending was predicable, but effective nonetheless. Just could not take my eyes off Claude Perron (Amélie) throughout the film. She did a superb job, as did Eriq Ebouaney (Lumumba, Hit-man, Transporter 3).
As good as french cheese... and full of holes too!
Jorge_Mota16 January 2011
Warning: Spoilers
While taking advantage of the holidays to watch a few movies, I came across IMDb's reference to "La Horde", a French movie about "Zumbis" (which I find acceptable, since "zombie" was originally a French word - from Haiti, to be more precise, and refers to a African super-hero that would rise from the dead and free the slaves... but that's another story). Well, the production, acting (superb!) and the CGI are impressive and faultless, but... Here there be spoilers! - who were the guys? - what were they doing there? - they said they were family... brothers? cousins? lovers? - how did the hostage become a zombie? - how could the entire city become a bed of flames in a few minutes? - why would all the zombies in town gather around a specific abandoned building among several abandoned buildings? - how did everybody inside turn into zombies? - why did the women's pregnancy be such a conflict between those guys? - why/how did the guard keep all those heavy guns? in France? - why did the white dudes pick the heavy guns and the black one pick a machete? - why were they trying to get out of a building with a few zombies to get outside to a world under a zombie rampage? - why, oh why!, didn't they spend a few more minutes on the script?
Half a dozen incredible French actors, the same number of clichéd characters (the French brute, the crazed African, the fat drunk and ugly Legionnaire, the bitchy French woman), and a very good movie that, on my opinion, beats several of the same coming out from Hollywoodland.
Some criticize the woman for killing the black criminal once they reached the outside; for me, it was the only thing that made sense in the whole movie: she went there to get him and, after the criminal killed the father of her child, that was the only way out. But didn't she realize the shot would attract the zombies?
Well, it was only a movie. So I give it a 5.
Half a dozen incredible French actors, the same number of clichéd characters (the French brute, the crazed African, the fat drunk and ugly Legionnaire, the bitchy French woman), and a very good movie that, on my opinion, beats several of the same coming out from Hollywoodland.
Some criticize the woman for killing the black criminal once they reached the outside; for me, it was the only thing that made sense in the whole movie: she went there to get him and, after the criminal killed the father of her child, that was the only way out. But didn't she realize the shot would attract the zombies?
Well, it was only a movie. So I give it a 5.
Over rated bore
dixieburlesque30 December 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Am I the only person who thinks this is over rated garbage?
The story is pretty abysmal with no explanations as to why, at the click of some zombie God's fingers, hundreds of flesh craving undead suddenly appear in what looked to be a derelict area. Nothing much happens apart from angry people pointing guns and shouting at each other until the utterly ridiculous car scene which I think was supposed to be cool but it simply wasn't. I mean are you seriously telling me one of those hundreds of zombies one wouldn't have had him sooner?? He's on top of a car not a flippin double decker bus! And where are they all when they manage to escape?? Not a single walker in sight??
It also disappointed me that these were more like infected people than zombies so there aren't any rotten corpses to get excited about. No one being eaten alive or ripped apart which is boring.
The female character is just a bitch, an ugly one as well, although to be fair, she can kick ass.
I just thought this was really dull and I was willing it to end. I'm really surprised it's received such glowing reviews but then each to their own I guess.
The story is pretty abysmal with no explanations as to why, at the click of some zombie God's fingers, hundreds of flesh craving undead suddenly appear in what looked to be a derelict area. Nothing much happens apart from angry people pointing guns and shouting at each other until the utterly ridiculous car scene which I think was supposed to be cool but it simply wasn't. I mean are you seriously telling me one of those hundreds of zombies one wouldn't have had him sooner?? He's on top of a car not a flippin double decker bus! And where are they all when they manage to escape?? Not a single walker in sight??
It also disappointed me that these were more like infected people than zombies so there aren't any rotten corpses to get excited about. No one being eaten alive or ripped apart which is boring.
The female character is just a bitch, an ugly one as well, although to be fair, she can kick ass.
I just thought this was really dull and I was willing it to end. I'm really surprised it's received such glowing reviews but then each to their own I guess.
Good old Zombie flick!
miamiguy-207-92225214 February 2015
The film has a frantic pace and the first scene is the discovery of a police officer found dead in a rubbish pit. At the funeral his colleagues vow to kill the men responsible and track them down to a condemned and abandoned tower block on the city outskirts. The raid isn't too successful and the police find themselves at the mercy of the violent gang members. However, something stirs outside in the night and within minutes all hell breaks loose. The cops and gang members must reluctantly work together if they want to escape from the tower block alive. There are one or two scenes of complete overkill and plenty of blood to keep zombie fans happy. Don't really know to refer to them as zombies or not but they are like the infected in 28 days later. The film only really slows down in the middle for a short period before heading to a bloody and violent conclusion.
Certainly one of the better zombie films to be released in the last few years and very enjoyable.
Certainly one of the better zombie films to be released in the last few years and very enjoyable.
Almost no plot, argument or development.
oliverio7214 September 2010
Warning: Spoilers
But this is not an average mindless zombie flick. This is worse. Because the main thing in the plot is that the good guys are totally unable to realise -in the whole film- that the zombies ONLY die if they are severely damaged in the head. And this is very convenient for a director wanting to make a "tarantino" zombie movie.
Therefore, they basically kill them by shooting them in the balls which is almost impossible since zombies need no balls or legs or arms. And since almost every character in the movie is a violent moron, they enjoy beating and shooting and cutting zombie meat until the zombies got them. End.
Therefore, they basically kill them by shooting them in the balls which is almost impossible since zombies need no balls or legs or arms. And since almost every character in the movie is a violent moron, they enjoy beating and shooting and cutting zombie meat until the zombies got them. End.
"The enemy of my enemy" --or-- "The lesser of 2 evils". Take your pick.
Someguysomwhere2 December 2010
A group of law enforcement agents raid a building where some criminals are hold up. This is in retaliation for the brutal murder of one of their own and to rescue others held hostage. The raid has unexpected consequences.
This movie was off to a great start once the raid of the building commenced. It was very realistic; very tough. The criminals were convincingly hardcore and menacing. But this great start slowly began to dismantle as the movie progressed. Eventually it's edge and credibility was lost and it became for me just another farcical zombie movie. What went wrong? --A lot of things for me; some subtle and not easy to articulate. It seems to me that the decline began when the cops and the criminals decided to join forces. Perhaps because, at this point, the criminals didn't seem so menacing and in control anymore; no longer hardcore. Just terrified and confused. The dangerousness of them had been transfered to the new threat: the zombies.
Something more concrete is the fact that they kept shooting the zombies in the body or torso when clearly this wasn't working; and this after a successful head shot earlier. If it were you or I, we would have figured this out; concentrated our shots to the head. But the people in this movie never came to this elementary deduction. So credibility was lost because no one is that stupid. My guess is that the director and the writer didn't want the zombies killed too quickly; more suspenseful if they kept coming at you. How to do this? Let the people in the movie avoid head shots and common sense.
Another thing that bothered me was the introduction of this bloated, cartoonish, old fart who kept referring to the zombies as "chinks". As well, there was a scene wherein one guy took on a swarm of zombies all by himself. I did not at all find that credible. None of the zombies got even a nibble for some time. And mind you, these aren't the slow, leg-dragging, zombies of old. These are the newer, more ferocious ones that run as good as you and me.
Lastly, the advent of the zombies wasn't explained at all. In no time at all zombies were all over the place and humans were extinct or near-extinction. How could the world make such a sea-change in such a short span of time? What happened? Was there radiation from a nuclear explosion? Was there a virus? What the hell happened??? Notwithstanding all I've said so far, the movie has entertainment value. Just disappointed it turned into just another zombie movie as it progressed.
I seem to have a little time so I'll answer some of the questions of my zillions of adoring readers.
"Yes, you young lady. What's your question?"
"Are you a perv?"
"No, I am not. Next question.Yes, you young man."
"Are you a drug-fiend?"
"For godsake! You, kid, what's your question?"
"Do you wet your bed?"
"Okay. That does it! No more questions!"
"Please! I have a legitimate question!"
"Okay, make it quick."
"How do you feel when someone votes against the usefulness of your review?"
"Fair question. I feel they must already have known what the movie was about."
Love, Boloxxxi.
This movie was off to a great start once the raid of the building commenced. It was very realistic; very tough. The criminals were convincingly hardcore and menacing. But this great start slowly began to dismantle as the movie progressed. Eventually it's edge and credibility was lost and it became for me just another farcical zombie movie. What went wrong? --A lot of things for me; some subtle and not easy to articulate. It seems to me that the decline began when the cops and the criminals decided to join forces. Perhaps because, at this point, the criminals didn't seem so menacing and in control anymore; no longer hardcore. Just terrified and confused. The dangerousness of them had been transfered to the new threat: the zombies.
Something more concrete is the fact that they kept shooting the zombies in the body or torso when clearly this wasn't working; and this after a successful head shot earlier. If it were you or I, we would have figured this out; concentrated our shots to the head. But the people in this movie never came to this elementary deduction. So credibility was lost because no one is that stupid. My guess is that the director and the writer didn't want the zombies killed too quickly; more suspenseful if they kept coming at you. How to do this? Let the people in the movie avoid head shots and common sense.
Another thing that bothered me was the introduction of this bloated, cartoonish, old fart who kept referring to the zombies as "chinks". As well, there was a scene wherein one guy took on a swarm of zombies all by himself. I did not at all find that credible. None of the zombies got even a nibble for some time. And mind you, these aren't the slow, leg-dragging, zombies of old. These are the newer, more ferocious ones that run as good as you and me.
Lastly, the advent of the zombies wasn't explained at all. In no time at all zombies were all over the place and humans were extinct or near-extinction. How could the world make such a sea-change in such a short span of time? What happened? Was there radiation from a nuclear explosion? Was there a virus? What the hell happened??? Notwithstanding all I've said so far, the movie has entertainment value. Just disappointed it turned into just another zombie movie as it progressed.
I seem to have a little time so I'll answer some of the questions of my zillions of adoring readers.
"Yes, you young lady. What's your question?"
"Are you a perv?"
"No, I am not. Next question.Yes, you young man."
"Are you a drug-fiend?"
"For godsake! You, kid, what's your question?"
"Do you wet your bed?"
"Okay. That does it! No more questions!"
"Please! I have a legitimate question!"
"Okay, make it quick."
"How do you feel when someone votes against the usefulness of your review?"
"Fair question. I feel they must already have known what the movie was about."
Love, Boloxxxi.
Fairly rockin' zombie flick
slake0913 November 2010
A crew of cops and gangsters fight their way through a zombie apocalypse while interacting warily and sometimes violently with each other.
This is one of the best zombie movies I've seen in a while, it's surprising that I hadn't heard of it before. The zombies are the usual Romero type, although they do run instead of lurch at times. The usual zombie rules apply; shoot it in the head, and all that. The difference here is that several of the living engage in fist fights with zombies when a gun isn't handy, you don't see that very much. The fights tend to be quick, realistic and brutal. That was interesting.
The tension between cops and gangsters goes on until the very end, adding a bit of a twist to the plot. The acting is good, the production values high, and the special effects are good and gory. This isn't the backyard zombie movie your brother-in-law Cletus made with his camcorder and five drunken friends; it's a decently budgeted, well acted and somewhat original zombie movie with atmosphere.
I recommend this film to any zombie flick fan. It's in French, but there isn't that much dialog so the subtitles aren't obtrusive.
This is one of the best zombie movies I've seen in a while, it's surprising that I hadn't heard of it before. The zombies are the usual Romero type, although they do run instead of lurch at times. The usual zombie rules apply; shoot it in the head, and all that. The difference here is that several of the living engage in fist fights with zombies when a gun isn't handy, you don't see that very much. The fights tend to be quick, realistic and brutal. That was interesting.
The tension between cops and gangsters goes on until the very end, adding a bit of a twist to the plot. The acting is good, the production values high, and the special effects are good and gory. This isn't the backyard zombie movie your brother-in-law Cletus made with his camcorder and five drunken friends; it's a decently budgeted, well acted and somewhat original zombie movie with atmosphere.
I recommend this film to any zombie flick fan. It's in French, but there isn't that much dialog so the subtitles aren't obtrusive.
Fast, frenzied and frenetic
Leofwine_draca17 April 2014
Despite a plethora of zombie films being made around the world in the last ten years, very few of them are actually any good; I think the last one I really enjoyed was the Spanish REC. Good news, then, that the French have finally done themselves proud with THE HORDE, which turns out to be one of the most exciting - and desperate - zombie films of the last few years.
Don't go here looking for originality, because you won't find it. THE HORDE's storyline is nothing to write home about, and the cast is typical for those of us familiar with French cinema like DISTRICT 13. In essence, a group of gangsters, cops and eccentrics are cooped up in a run-down apartment block and forced to fend off the frenzied attacks of the living dead.
The characters are all hard-ass and the script is littered with tough-as-nails dialogue, but along the way there are some genuinely decent performances, particularly from Jean-Pierre Martins and Eriq Ebouaney, whose initial hostility gradually gives way to a grudging respect. But the characters come second to the direction, which is all about tense, close-quarters combat, and the film-makers don't skimp on the bloodshed either. This is a nasty movie, in which the zombies are vicious man-eaters all the way. There's even time for something new, in the form of some breathtaking hand-to-hand combat battles between humans and zombies which are like something out of THE RAID and just as great to watch. THE HORDE is a great little movie and one I'll enjoy rewatching in future.
Don't go here looking for originality, because you won't find it. THE HORDE's storyline is nothing to write home about, and the cast is typical for those of us familiar with French cinema like DISTRICT 13. In essence, a group of gangsters, cops and eccentrics are cooped up in a run-down apartment block and forced to fend off the frenzied attacks of the living dead.
The characters are all hard-ass and the script is littered with tough-as-nails dialogue, but along the way there are some genuinely decent performances, particularly from Jean-Pierre Martins and Eriq Ebouaney, whose initial hostility gradually gives way to a grudging respect. But the characters come second to the direction, which is all about tense, close-quarters combat, and the film-makers don't skimp on the bloodshed either. This is a nasty movie, in which the zombies are vicious man-eaters all the way. There's even time for something new, in the form of some breathtaking hand-to-hand combat battles between humans and zombies which are like something out of THE RAID and just as great to watch. THE HORDE is a great little movie and one I'll enjoy rewatching in future.
At last - a Zombie Movie MADE by Zombies!
rpvanderlinden26 March 2011
Warning: Spoilers
A lot of contemporary movies made by young directors in the horror, sci-fi and thriller genres seem to be made in order to prove that they can create some really cool gore, action and effects sequences. Somewhere along the way they realize that - oops! - they have to add a story, so they cobble something together, like the cops and robbers tale in "The Horde", provide a twist or two, then add enough firepower to equip the Libyan rebel army and enough gore to turn the Red Sea actually red. The SFX are really something to listen to, all kinds of squishing and squelching as heads are blown to smithereens and body parts are hacked, ripped and mangled. The action takes place inside an apartment building on the edge of a burning city. Since the actors speak French one assumes that it's a city in France, but for purposes of the film's possible worldwide distribution it could be any city, anywhere. Dub it into any language or add subtitles and you've got another captive audience. This movie, my friends, is a splatterfest, like Roberto Rodriguez' "Planet Terror", but that film had a decent story, wit by the bucketful, and actual talent behind the camera. The directors of "The Horde" have proved that they can do gore, but what else can they do? I'm not sure, but they could go back to school and become dental hygienists or morticians. It's always good to have another occupation to fall back on.
Wrong in all the important places
siderite30 October 2011
I have watched this film moments after seeing a low budget German zombie flick and so I could see the differences between the two immediately. While Rammbock was low budget, this one had lots of weapons and effects and plenty of gore; La Horde had superviolent gangsters and cops (the French kind, a la Luc Besson), the other one had painfully average people; the Germans had natural reactions, while the French were complete idiots; German film had believability while La Horde was ridiculous just when starting to like it. And so on and so on...
Bottom line: La Horde had the ingredients for a great movie. I was expecting (maybe that was my problem) a combination between From Dusk Till Dawn and Nid de Guêpes. It was neither, as the characters wasted bullet after precious bullet shooting zombies in the body (even if they noticed the only effective shots where legs and head) or shouting in anger and/or fear. And the thing is, in France, old men and young women are a lot scarier than zombies. Eriq Ebouaney was the highlight of the movie, but mainly because of his almighty blackness and acting, not his script lines.
Bottom line: La Horde had the ingredients for a great movie. I was expecting (maybe that was my problem) a combination between From Dusk Till Dawn and Nid de Guêpes. It was neither, as the characters wasted bullet after precious bullet shooting zombies in the body (even if they noticed the only effective shots where legs and head) or shouting in anger and/or fear. And the thing is, in France, old men and young women are a lot scarier than zombies. Eriq Ebouaney was the highlight of the movie, but mainly because of his almighty blackness and acting, not his script lines.
Gorefest
terrancegore22 January 2019
Well above average zombie film
McQualude6 October 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Foreign filmmakers seem to put more emphasis on choosing good actors over pretty ones, not only do they act well but they look like real people which really lends credibility to what's happening on screen. The environment was really dirty and gritty and reminded me of the beginning of the No Mercy map of Left4Dead. That said the ending got a little corny with the sudden heroic death of the cop, the cheesy lines of the Old Soldier (or maybe it was just a bad translation), the fiery grenade (grenades produce shrapnel, not fire), the sudden extreme shaky cam out of nowhere, and the black guy falling out of character and forgetting that the woman planned to murder him at the end. Still, this was an above average zombie movie.
Zombie Flesh Eaters
sol-13 April 2017
An uneasy alliance develops between hardened criminals and the policemen raiding their apartment block as a zombie plague wages outside in this French take on the horror subgenre. While hardly exploring new or original territory, the film has some memorable touches, most notably as the group torment a female zombie pinned to the ground and talk about gang banging her, highlighting just monstrous non-zombies can be. There is also a well done bit in which one man plows into a crowd of zombies as if he is playing rugby. For the most part though, 'La Horde' never reaches its potential. There are a lot of zombie attacks, but they occur so quickly with rapid fire editing that there is no chance to bask in the madness of bodies ripped apart. The macho characters get on the nerves quite quickly too with the film soon becoming less about cops and criminals united together and more about tough men competing to show off how tough they are. There is one prominent female character, however, she is so bitter and twisted that she remains hard to warm too throughout and her actions in the film final's scene leave a sour taste in the mouth. Fortunately, the film focuses largely on Yves Pignot, who brings much comic relief as a war veteran relishing in the chance to use his army training again to fend off the zombie plague, but this is still hard a film to recommend without reservations.
A good way to kill 90 minutes.
jcburns877 July 2011
Warning: Spoilers
This film was decent at best, but it could have been so much better. The concept tries to be unique, but in reality most zombie movies toy with the idea that there are people who have to put aside their differences to survive zombies. Nothing extraordinary, they just put "crooked" cops and gangsters into a large apartment complex. I say "crooked" because that's how they are described in every synopsis I've read for this film, but they never really show why they're crooked. They show up for vengeance and are then quickly disarmed, which is really interesting because later the cops fight zombies hand to hand and become expert marksmen.
The Horde wastes zero time jumping right into the action, which is good because aside from a few interactions between the characters there is nothing but zombie killing. Most of the characters are throw aways, save for a few and most fit into archetypes we've all seen in zombie films. You have the principal actors who get some characterization and then zombie meat. In all honesty I don't remember most of the characters names.
Now, this movie is a solid zombie film, except for one thing. The female lead in the film, Aurore, is atrociously unlikeable. There is nothing about her that makes you want her to survive. She seems to be trying to channel Sigourney Weaver in Aliens, Linda Hamilton in Terminator 2 and Milla Jovovich in Resident Evil and it just doesn't work. I felt myself rooting for the murderous, drug-dealing gangsters more than her. And this is a film that does not shy away from knocking off characters brutally and quickly. But for some reason this woman not only survives, but is constantly annoying. Aside from that there is an old guy who provides quasi-comic relief who turns out to be the most compelling character.
If you are trying to decide if you want to watch this film, know this. There is a scene at the end that is one of the best death scenes for a character in a zombie movie. Though it is the cliché sort of "save the others" sort of death, it is filmed well and it kills off one of the film's best characters in spectacular fashion.
The Horde wastes zero time jumping right into the action, which is good because aside from a few interactions between the characters there is nothing but zombie killing. Most of the characters are throw aways, save for a few and most fit into archetypes we've all seen in zombie films. You have the principal actors who get some characterization and then zombie meat. In all honesty I don't remember most of the characters names.
Now, this movie is a solid zombie film, except for one thing. The female lead in the film, Aurore, is atrociously unlikeable. There is nothing about her that makes you want her to survive. She seems to be trying to channel Sigourney Weaver in Aliens, Linda Hamilton in Terminator 2 and Milla Jovovich in Resident Evil and it just doesn't work. I felt myself rooting for the murderous, drug-dealing gangsters more than her. And this is a film that does not shy away from knocking off characters brutally and quickly. But for some reason this woman not only survives, but is constantly annoying. Aside from that there is an old guy who provides quasi-comic relief who turns out to be the most compelling character.
If you are trying to decide if you want to watch this film, know this. There is a scene at the end that is one of the best death scenes for a character in a zombie movie. Though it is the cliché sort of "save the others" sort of death, it is filmed well and it kills off one of the film's best characters in spectacular fashion.
Mindless zombie flick
revelinchaos12 September 2010
Warning: Spoilers
OK, I'll start by saying that what I consider to be mainstays of the 'zombie genre' are "28 days later" and "28 weeks later". That is to say, horror movies with a (possibly logical and consequential) plot, and why not, with some pathos as well. Resident Evil (I+II) follows at some distance after them.
Having said that, this movie is basically the opposite of the ones I just mentioned. What we're talking about is actually an action movie with the zombie element causally thrown in, and that formally transforms it into a survival 'Horror'. Fact is that this movie has no plot, no story, no development, and what's more: no thrills and very few scares...
There is absolutely no explanation behind the story or the characters' existence, actions and behavior, or for the 'zombification' apocalypse that befalls (all around) them. Everything just happens out of the blue and the whole thing feels totally unbelievable and inconsistent.
Cinematography and settings aren't eye appealing either: of course, the ambient is meant to look bleak, but it looks pretty cheap too, just like the few effects used (a couple obvious CG fx, 'blood' splattered everywhere, firearms, wounds and zombie makeup, essentially). Acting is passable on average for this kind of movie, I guess, but it's not like the actors needed to (and surely didn't) use the Stanislavski's system anyhow, given the absolutely shallow dialogs and plot. Ebouaney seemed however to be the most 'credible' (so to speak...) and solid in his performance.
All in all I think this movie brings absolutely nothing new to the genre, and if it weren't shot, its absence wouldn't certainly have been felt. That's why I think this is a mediocre movie, and quite boring as well (4.5/10), but maybe the most devoted horror enthusiasts will appreciate it more than I did.
Having said that, this movie is basically the opposite of the ones I just mentioned. What we're talking about is actually an action movie with the zombie element causally thrown in, and that formally transforms it into a survival 'Horror'. Fact is that this movie has no plot, no story, no development, and what's more: no thrills and very few scares...
There is absolutely no explanation behind the story or the characters' existence, actions and behavior, or for the 'zombification' apocalypse that befalls (all around) them. Everything just happens out of the blue and the whole thing feels totally unbelievable and inconsistent.
Cinematography and settings aren't eye appealing either: of course, the ambient is meant to look bleak, but it looks pretty cheap too, just like the few effects used (a couple obvious CG fx, 'blood' splattered everywhere, firearms, wounds and zombie makeup, essentially). Acting is passable on average for this kind of movie, I guess, but it's not like the actors needed to (and surely didn't) use the Stanislavski's system anyhow, given the absolutely shallow dialogs and plot. Ebouaney seemed however to be the most 'credible' (so to speak...) and solid in his performance.
All in all I think this movie brings absolutely nothing new to the genre, and if it weren't shot, its absence wouldn't certainly have been felt. That's why I think this is a mediocre movie, and quite boring as well (4.5/10), but maybe the most devoted horror enthusiasts will appreciate it more than I did.
a real bloodbath
purevol2228 May 2012
I found this movie by accident and I'm glad I did. It's definitely in the newer way of thinking when it comes to zombie films. If you like the older zombie originals you may not like this film. But if you liked the remake of Dawn of the Dead then you will like this. The film takes off fairly quick and once it starts it doesn't stop. Plus it has a nice mix of dark humor mixed in and some really cool visuals. The characters aren't really that believable to me but with a film like this who gives a crap? It's entertaining if you're into horror films and you like blood and gore, it doesn't disappoint. I would watch this with friends again or by myself if I had nothing better to do.
Fast and frantic but kinda meaningless
saraccan1 July 2019
It's an action zombie film which has a lot of gore and shooting. But it kinda loses its impact after a little while and get a bit repetitive. There's a plot which doesn't really have much of an immersiveness.
Bunch of cops go after a mob to get revenge for friend, while there's a zombie apocalypse cooking up outside.
Bunch of cops go after a mob to get revenge for friend, while there's a zombie apocalypse cooking up outside.
Zombie Apocalypse
hoodieJ3 September 2009
La Horde is probably the best action film of the year. It doesn't work as an out and out horror but it is a balls out insane action film. The plot in cops and criminals join forces in a tower block as the End of Days happens and the dead return as bloodthirsty aggressive zombies. If you like action brutal, bloody and violent then see this. The plot isn't anything original but this film has verve by the bucketload. The scares are good and the tension is slowly built higher and higher. The only complaint is that the ending isn't clever despite being different.
Go see it if you love robocop/28 days later/dawn of the dead.
Great fun.
Go see it if you love robocop/28 days later/dawn of the dead.
Great fun.
Finally, a Zombie movie worth while watching!
johan-spendrup14 March 2011
After numerous releases of Zombie movies that have reached the screen since the successful remake of Dawn of the Dead, it was an enjoyment to view something that finally reached the level of "Worth while watching". No, La Horde delivers nothing new to the genre itself; however, the idea of making a Zombie horror in conjunction with an action driven thriller makes it even more entertaining. This time, even the Zombie characters gives the audience a fright, a trait that viewers have not been too spoiled with in recent years. The same goes to the actors' performance where the role characters are portrayed in a convincing manner, which all together is well above the standard of any peer Zombie movie. It is definitely a recommendation to any fan of this genre that has not been fulfilled since the launching of that remake that was mentioned in the beginning
Not Bad
Tweetienator22 May 2023
The Horde aka La Horde is not a bad zombie movie but also not a really good one: the movie is heavy on the shooting and fighting side, and we get some blood, gore and brutality served, plus some (a lot) fast running high octane zombies, but what I mostly missed is a sense of horror or zombie-induced apocalyptic feel of terror: Mutants and The Nights Eats the World are regarding suspense far stronger (and more serious) French entries to the genre, that's at least my opinion. I guess, the weakest part are our heroes, I did not relate to any of them, so I watched the whole affair rather indifferently, regarding who gets killed and who not. Also I missed (like in many zombie movies) some originality and the setting of some cops and criminals fighting zombies together is also, well, not really an eureka moment of script writing. Not to forget, that many action sequences were so unrealistic and comic-like, so every illusion of watching something "real" happening got destroyed. You remember the episodes of The Walking Dead where Rick's group cleaned out the prison from all those zombies? Those episodes simply play in another league: action- and suspense-wise. Anyway, The Horde got some production value and the technical aspects are alright for a B-movie. The Horde - recommended, if you need some fresh fodder with fast running zombies a la 28 Days Later and the like.
One of the worst movies I ever saw
lmedrise3 August 2011
Warning: Spoilers
CONTAINS SPOILERS I can't even begin to think the worst thing about this movie. It could be the horrible acting, the storyline or the ending.
In this horrible "horror film" we see some mafia related scenes. You may wonder why is this relevant in the story? It's not. It's just another horrible detail about this movie.
There are two things worth mentioning: the fact that many of the characters give their life in order to kill some zombies totally in vain and the fact that the people in this movie was more worried about kicking zombies and fighting with their bare hands than shooting at the zombie's heads (come on we all know it, you don't shoot the zombie's chest).
As a final mention I was forgetting I must add that there's not even a word said about how the zombie infection began, in fact a man is shot and he turns into zombie out of nothing.
In this horrible "horror film" we see some mafia related scenes. You may wonder why is this relevant in the story? It's not. It's just another horrible detail about this movie.
There are two things worth mentioning: the fact that many of the characters give their life in order to kill some zombies totally in vain and the fact that the people in this movie was more worried about kicking zombies and fighting with their bare hands than shooting at the zombie's heads (come on we all know it, you don't shoot the zombie's chest).
As a final mention I was forgetting I must add that there's not even a word said about how the zombie infection began, in fact a man is shot and he turns into zombie out of nothing.
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