When you think of zombie comedies, classics like Shaun of the Dead or Zombieland likely spring to mind. But there's a hidden gem that deserves a spot on that list: the 2017 Japanese film One Cut of the Dead. Made on a shoestring budget of just $27,000—roughly the same as Clerks—this indie marvel has a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes and is a wild, genre-shifting ride that will leave you grinning from ear to ear.
Written and directed by Shin'ichirō Ueda, the film starts simply enough: a frustrated director named Higurashi (Takayuki Hamatsu) is shooting a low-budget zombie movie at an abandoned water treatment plant. But when real zombies attack the crew, chaos ensues—and Higurashi decides to keep filming, using the undead to finish his movie. What follows is anything but predictable.
A Daring 37-Minute Single Take
The first 37 minutes of One Cut of the Dead unfold in one continuous, unbroken shot. No hidden cuts, no digital trickery—just pure, audacious filmmaking. This isn't just a gimmick; it's a crucial plot device. As the story unfolds, we learn that the movie we're watching isn't the actual film itself. It's a meta-layered narrative about the making of a zombie movie, which itself is about making a zombie movie. The title card doesn't even appear until 40 minutes in, revealing the true nature of the story.
From Horror to Heartfelt Comedy
Just when you think you've got it figured out, One Cut of the Dead pulls the rug out from under you. The horror elements fade away, replaced by a hilarious and surprisingly touching comedy about the chaos of film production. Every awkward line, clumsy moment, and bizarre character decision is given new context, turning the film into a celebration of the ingenuity and passion required to make a movie. It's less a horror-comedy and more a horror/comedy—a film that uses zombies as a backdrop to tell a story about teamwork, creativity, and the sheer joy of filmmaking.
The movie's second half shows the behind-the-scenes struggles of the crew as they attempt to pull off the long take, revealing that many of the methods the characters use were the same ones the actual crew employed. This meta twist makes the film even more inspiring, especially given its tiny budget. It's a love letter to the craft, demonstrating the problem-solving and dedication that goes into every shot.
A Hidden Gem Worth Discovering
Despite its critical acclaim and box office success—it earned over 3,000 times its budget—One Cut of the Dead remains relatively unknown to mainstream audiences. While Shaun of the Dead and Zombieland use zombies as a foundation for their stories, One Cut of the Dead uses them as a springboard to tell something entirely different: an uplifting, heartwarming tale about the art of making movies. Even non-horror fans who love filmmaking will find plenty to adore here.
If you're looking for a zombie movie that breaks the mold, this is it. For more perfect genre-bending stories, check out these shows that never missed a beat or dive into how Shaun of the Dead became a zombie comedy masterpiece. And if you're in the mood for more terrifying reads, explore these horror books that still haven't hit the screen.
