Patient Zero (2018) - Patient Zero (2018) - User Reviews

6/10

Surprisingly decent horror movie, and different enough to be interesting

CountJonnie27 December 2018

Patient Zero is part horror movie, but also part study of a new junction, in a genre that might as well has been dried up as much as the corpses in The Walking Dead.

In this movie, the cast is pretty ambitious, with stars such as Matt Smith and Stanley Tucci. They take their roles seriously, which adds to the atmosphere and credibility of the people, the zombies, and Matt Smith who is part of both, siding with the humans. The movie zooms in less on terror effects, but all the more on the intelligence, motivations and coherence of this new zombie breed.

In Patient Zero, the watcher with at least some attention span, will be forced to wonder: who the zombies are, why they are and what they want. Not all questions will be answered, but the fact that this movie raises those questions, is a success on its own. Is this a very good movie? Absolutely not. Is it an interesting movie, that will leave you wanting to know more? Yes. Maybe this movie would've been better as a series, but for now, this movie succeeds in being pretty damn interesting, in a dried up genre.

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5/10

Would Be a Reasonable Pilot of a TV Show

claudio_carvalho19 August 2018

Warning: Spoilers

In an underground former missile facility with scientists and survivors from a rabies virus apocalypse, Dr. Gina Rose (Natalie Dormer) is seeking out the patient zero from Minnesota to develop a vaccine. Her assistant is Morgan (Matt Smith), who was bitten by an infected but has not changed, is the only non-infected human capable to talk to and understand the infected ones. When they capture the intelligent The Professor (Stanley Tucci), they learn that the infected breed is also seeking out their patient zero and Morgan is the one.

"Patient Zero" would be a reasonable pilot of a TV show. But unfortunately it is not. The lead actress Natalie Dormer from "Game of Thrones" performs the scientist that is ahead of the research of the infected and their patient zero. But the story has no conclusion and is deceptive for any viewer. My vote is five.

Title (Brazil): Not Available

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6/10

Wow! The hate!

lightningslim3 September 2018

I really can not understand the hate for this movie. So many 1 star "Reviews." Having been a IMDB user since the early days, I am used to seeing all sorts of strange reviews, but never have I seen such misplaced hatred for a reasonably good movie. Understand me, this is not a "Great" movie, however, it is competent in every way, and there are many many worse movies! This is more a psychological movie than an action movie. It could almost be a live theatre piece. For what it is worth, I enjoyed it, possibly the worst thing was Mat Smith's "American" accent, but it's not worth the hate.

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4/10

Had Potential

dvz6914 August 2018

This movie was fairly well acted and unfortunately did not utilize Stanley Tucci enough. The story was promising as the infected could actually communicate, which makes for an interesting Zombie film. Despite a great premise and strong actors it could not save this movie from poor writing. The movie was painfully dull at times and felt flat. The ending seemed as if they just cut the tape at a random point. If they are thinking making a part II they should pass.

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2/10

Why Stanley Tucci? WHY?

rdietman14 August 2018

This movie was terrible from the very first line uttered. The story was poorly written, poorly acted and poorly edited. The only reason that this movie isn't a 0 stars is because they somehow managed to get Stanley Tucci on board. That's worth 2 stars alone. On another note, Stanley, fire your agent.

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5/10

A fun film for fans of the genre... if you can get past the music

MisaMisa12096 January 2019

I feel there are a few elements that will make or break a film. One of them is music, which this movie completely failed at. Being engrossed when watching a film is very important to me but the music choices often took me "out of the zone" because it was just... so CHEESY.

That being said, it was a fun film with good acting and decent writing. Exactly what you would expect from the genre with a different twist and perspective, which I often appreciate.

Note on the negative reviews for Matt Smith's accent. It sounds odd because, I think (and this is a strong belief only), he is affecting a very specific accent from a US region referenced in the beginning.

Aside from the negative reiews, I took a chance on the film due to the actors and have no regrets.

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1/10

Was the writer a twelve year old?

naenne14 August 2018

The characters in this movie are so incredibly simple. Within five minutes you know everything there is to know about them.

Storywise you won't be surprised either. There is no logical build up, no in depth of characters, just bam! These are the main characters, this is the mission, they have different opinions and go high school play.

I understand they tried to do something new with the infected, and the way they use them to try to find patient zero.(still first 5 minutes, no spoilers). But the disney characters with their petty little arguments ruin every chance of this movie being taken seriously.

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1/10

I wish I could give 0/10

jackmcmeniman14 August 2018

I have made an exception to my general stance of steering clear of reviewing movies on IMDb. I understand that viewing a movie can be such a subjective experience, with each viewer generally entitled to their opinion of what is laid before them.

And then there is this. The plot line is so mangled and nonsensical, changing its direction every 5-10 minutes, its as if the writers were trying to steer a sinking ship clear of the rocks, but all they managed to do was crash it even quicker.

The acting was terrible. Not even a solid cameo role from Stanley Tucci could bring any light into this horror storm. I am generally a fan of Matt Smith, and Natalie Dormer, and I will die wondering what drove them to appear in this movie, were there spouses kidnapped and held for ransom?

I have spent enough words writing on this movie now, I implore anyone who reads this to stay as far away from this movie as they can, it is objectively awful. I would rather eat glass than watch it again.

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7/10

This was a UNIQUE Zombie movie

whitewitchlady20 August 2018

I was surprised to see that this movie was NOT as poor as the reviewers have stated. This isn't like your normal convert, hunt, kill movie. The characters were strong. The storyline was different. The way they communicate is different! This is better than the ratings - AGAIN!

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1/10

Should have never been released

HerbsReviews14 August 2018

Warning: Spoilers

I've had this movie down on my watchlist for a while now- never knowing why it hadn't been released... till I saw it. Whatever it cost to make this movie- you can tell it all went into paying the cast- the rest looked like it was done by a few college kids as a summer project. Everything about Patient Zero is cheap: the set is cheap (the movie taking place entirely in a dimly lit underground warehouse), the zombies look cheap (splash on yellow contacts with some fake blood), and worst of all: the script. There was no point at all to this film- I wish I had stopped at the opening credits because all you needed to know was there. What happens next is 70 minutes of cheesy dialogue with the fakest American accents and the poorest acting Zombies and Humans, only to have ended with an even more cheesy ending. Save yourself the watch and watch 28 Days- much better.

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8/10

Almost didn't watch because of reviews!

mverellen17 September 2018

I assume everyone with a 1 star review is not into this type of film or has created a film experience that is worthy of a 10 star review. This movie is exactly what you would expect. It was late one evening and I wanted to watch something fun. I saw this movie and decided to look up reviews. I had to think about it for a bit due to the horrid reviews, decided to go with it... turned it on and was entertained the whole time... simple as that. I'd even watch a sequel.

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7/10

rabies, not zombies

RobLuvsTheMountains3 January 2019

Let me begin by saying that this is not a "zombie" movie. It's a "rabies" movie. Similar to the "rage virus" in 28 days later. While 28 Days Later, and it's sequel 28 Weeks Later, are better movies than Patient Zero that doesn't mean this movie has no merits. Patient Zero caught my, and my spouse's, attention right away and kept it throughout. The story is interesting and suspenseful. Stanley Tucci's character provided an interesting twist and the ending made us interested in seeing a sequel. With an absorbing plot and a brisk pace this movie deserves a thumbs up.

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2/10

Pointless

Athanatos17314 August 2018

I had heard about this movie quite a while ago and thought it was an interesting premise and had a good cast attached, and had it on my watch list.

Unfortunately, it ended up being a very hollow script with quite a few plot holes, and felt like a bad television pilot, and the way it ended enforced that feeling. Nice contact lenses though.

Stanley Tucci and the rats are the only actors that stood out. I would definitely not recommend this, give it a miss.

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5/10

What's with the hate??

edensmaranda11 November 2018

This movie by any means isn't the BEST but it's also not terrible. Okay so the plot isn't awesome but it is to say the least entertaining. Basic zombie movie. They should turn it into a show. I'd watch it over The walking Dead any day!

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Not bad, not great, but okay

pontram29 August 2018

This production has its biggest deficiency in missing directing. It seems that the director here could not contribute much, except a vision of the underground environment. Leading the actors or improving the script wasn't on his agenda, I assume. The plot isnn't really elaborated, the script not very mature, the main actors don't show that much involvement, and production values are not the best. The whole movie is bit of a mess, but surprisingly, it wasn't that bad, Though most things here are cliché, beginning with the charcters, to the relations and most of the dialogs, which sometimes seem to be taken from a Lego construction kit for post-apocalyptic movies, there are some little enhancements, which save the movie from total failing. One enhancement is of course Stanley Tucci's part, who has the easiest work, as the script serves him and him only, where it works against Smith and Dormer for most of their lines - and they both aren't charismatic enough to compensate. But many reviews here criticize the accents, and that is the one point I wouldn't ever do, since it hastn't any real impact on a movie's quality. The premise itself is flawed, as the virus doesn't kill or zombify people, but makes them violent - but not against already infected ones, as it seems (it is said that they roam the surface in packs). So it is a mild Apocalypse, after which we all may live together again but with much roaring and grumbling. Doesn't sound that gruesome for me.

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1/10

Zombies with Abs? Really?

alvs-7995914 August 2018

So apparently in a pandemic all the infected will have hard, sculpted bodies.

As a lover of hard, sculpted bodies this unfortunately is the only saving grace. I have no idea why Matt Smith, Natalie Dormer and Stanley Tucci even agree to this?! Seriously, this is the kind of movie who should be played by actors who are starring in their first roles. I had more fun watching the two Piranha movies.

If you do intend to watch this, grab some vodka and take a shot everytime you see a muscled zombie with ripped shirt and rock hard six-packs. Oh, and watch out for Smith's last narration in the end... utterly horrible. I have heard better writing from a 13-year old.

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1/10

Dreadful!!!!

nicolajanecox17 August 2018

I would give this a zero if I could but forced to give it a one!!! Absolute rubbish, don't bother wasting your time watching it. Poorly written and terrible acting. Awful film. No real story and no plot! I can't emphasise enough how bad this was!!!!!

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5/10

Entertaining if you are a fan of the "Outbreak" genre but has a muddled plot "B-"

smokingtyger15 August 2018

Warning: Spoilers

After a lifetime watching sci-fi movies I am bemused by some of the criticism that people heap on movies like this. It's a sci-fi "B" movie, for god's sake. What were you expecting? Movies like this are meant to entertain, amuse, make you jump a few times, and toss out some ideas that might make you think a bit. That's what sci-fi "B" movies do. Expecting much more than that is just setting yourself up for disappointment.

Having said that, this is objectively not a great movie. It has a really muddled story and a weak ending. However, it has some decent, at times even good, acting as well as a decent idea that the movie is built around. The writers were clearly trying to find something new to do in a genre that is about played out and they get some points for that. Plus the movie has good production values, sets, costuming, and some name actors. So, if you are a sci-fi fan and want some light entertainment for 90 minutes this is an "OK" option. If every movie you watch has to be "great" or you are going to whine about being robbed of 90 minutes of your life, then you should give this a pass.

************************ Spoiler Section **************

This is not a "zombie" virus movie and the infected are not "undead". In spirit this movie is much more like 28 Days Later in terms of the "look and feel" of the virus and the infected. Points for the writers for making the virus a variant of rabies. There was a Nat Geo special that was done after "Walking Dead" hit that tried to lay out a possible "plausible" zombie plague scenario. It used a "weaponized super rabies" as the most scientifically possible scenario so someone did their homework.

That being said, the speed of the infection taking hold is (like it was in 28 Days Later) ridiculous. No virus is going to hit your bloodstream and then turn you into a hyper-aggressive homicidal maniac in seconds. So, minus points for perpetuating this ridiculous meme of "instant infection" no matter how useful it is for an outbreak movie.

The idea of having an asymptomatic carrier be the hero of the story and be able to interact with the infected was a cool twist. Although if you saw the SyFy series "Z Nation" your first thought might have been, "OK he's just like Murphy". Which is one of the weaknesses of this movie. Almost everything in it will remind you of some other movie or series in this genre that has come out since 2000 or, even going further back to the grand daddy of the genre, the 1954 book "I Am Legend" by Richard Matheson. There isn't really anything in this movie that feels fresh or new.

That being said, the interaction between our hero and the "King Zombie" played by Stanley Tucci is well done and a decent plot twist. Suddenly the viewer realizes that this is not going to be a post-apocalyptic road trip movie to find the "patient zero" unicorn. This is a much darker movie about the last vestiges of civilization being overrun by the barbarism and chaos that the infected symbolize. You thought you were watching an action, adventure, thriller movie but you were really watching a last stand movie the whole time. Surprise!

That's the best part of the movie. The rest of it, while decently done, is muddled and confused. One of the other reviewers noted that the movie felt like a failed series pilot and I agree. It makes me think that the writers were TV writers who cobbled together a screenplay. They had some decent ideas but they didn't know how to hone them into a tight movie.

So, in conclusion. If you like Outbreak or Apocalypse movies this one isn't bad. It has it's flaws but I found it entertaining and it had a few thought provoking moments. Put it in your "watch when nothing else is on" pile and you won't be disappointed.

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2/10

What on earth did the star studded cast smoke the day they agreed to making this movie?

jonnyhartwell16 August 2018

As a huge zombie/apocalypse/horror fan I can say I dont think I have seen worse as far as the genre goes. I did brave it even though at the time of writing the rating was 4.4 (generous in my opinion) due to the calibre of some of the actors in the film. The plot is same old, acting is bad, no twist or surprises, no character chemistry & not for once felt at the edge of my seat or engrossed in the film. I actually came to the realisation how important music is in a film - the music in this make it have the feel of a D class horror. Some advice to Clive Standen & Matt Smith - NEVER take a role again that requires you to do an american accent as it was horrific to listen too them. I will never think of Stanely Tucci again in the same light after taking such a silly role in a terrible movie.

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6/10

Not that bad

john-51983 March 2019

This is a relatively unmemorable film. The strong points are the performances of Stanley Tucci and Natalie Dormer along with some others, and several novelties that make this different from a typical mindless-zombie film. On the negative side, the overall plot thrust was formulaic, and the zombies themselves seemed a little superhuman at times. That may have been part of the story, but if so it was never explained. Overall, the film was flawed in terms of its approach, but most of us don't have high standards for these types of film. I'm rating it a 6 meaning that it was engaging enough to finish, but I wouldn't recommend it unless you really love this genre.

With a few changes, it would have been a very good TV pilot. The zombies are much better than those in The Walking Dead, which sort of fumble around. Think 28 Days Later.

I am mostly writing a review because of the plethora of 1 star reviews, which seemed unfair. The only thing I can guess is that people who like some of the name actors, but generally don't care for zombie films, took a chance on this and were disappointed.

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1/10

Patience Zero!

mb_9314 August 2018

The names attached are alluring. Natalie Dormer, Matt Smith, Stanley Tucci and Jon Snows best friend. However, from minute one you are forced to listen to jarring accents which often leave you laughing rather than listening. Matt Smiths American accent... I live in Manchester, UK. I am no means a judge of American accents but why cast a British person in a role of an American with such a strange accent. The accents plus the dialogue leave much to be desired and there is times in which some lines are actually added into the film without the character moving the lips. A scene in which Natalie Dormer and Matt Smith, she is hugging him from behind and says "Lets go" Keep an eye out for her lips. The story isn't there, it really isnt a story at all. There is no surprises. It feels more like a good High school play then a movie. Quite honestly the ending is the best bit about this film, as you can tell they didnt have an actual plan on how it would end. But when it does, its so abrupt its actually funny. Comedic value 10! everything else 0.

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8/10

Man what's with all the ones on the reviews?

deanmallardmcnamara14 October 2018

This is a good film. I watched it before I read the reviews and I am shocked that there are so many bad ones. It's a new zombie film, something we haven't seen before some zombies are more alert than others and some are a lot more clever and the zombies can talk to each other. It starts and gets straight into things and it keeps getting better as it goes along. Yes it's weird but very well done I'll definitely recommend it to a few friends it's more than worth a watch and again I dunno what's with all the bad reviews I am shocked.

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7/10

Good movie not sure why all the hate

blckmstng042 September 2018

So if you're looking for a good movie with solid acting and an interesting plot, you'll like the movie. Is it world war z? No, but it gives a new twist on a zombie and it explains what going on and gives background. People giving it a 1 for storyline or effects are simply jaded by all the movies we have now.

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1/10

Patient suicide

MoistMovies16 August 2018

Well.. If this film is good for anything. It's making you want to drink the chemicals under the sink. There is quite literally a couple scenes where the main actors are on screen, there is dialogue being said.. and there mouths are not moving... In Once scene, game of science chick is hugging/kissing the back of Junior who. and they're dubbing over this action with her saying some garbage melodrama dialogue. here mouth clearly busy mashed up against his back in some sort of kiss face mush and not talking. Im not kidding, ive never noticed so clearly in any film a consistent progression from starting mediocre, to the middle being b-grade, to getting down to neil brine levels by the end of it. Was it done on purpose? Not sure. What im sure of is Stanly tucci needs to fire his agent.

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5/10

Enjoyable, but...

TheAngelaKnight13 October 2019

Warning: Spoilers

I hated what Morgan did to Janet; my husband would never do that to me. I'm not talking about being locked up and treated for her condition; I'm talking about the other behaviours. This ruined the film for me. I know it was left wide open for a sequel, but I hope there isn't one.

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Patient Zero (I) (2018)

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