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The Returned movie review & film summary (2014)

Instead of, say, the haves vs. the have-nots or legislation against illegal immigrants, there is a battle between the healthy and the infected. A zombie outbreak that happened a while ago that caused millions to die has since been contained, thanks to a miracle of modern medicine. If caught in time, those bitten can receive a daily shot to stave off their transformation into snarling blood-thirsty fiends. These beings who find themselves in this human-zombie limbo are known as the Returned and not everyone is happy about their presence.

Exemplifying this new normal is Toronto couple Kate (Emily Hampshire, a near-ringer for Parker Posey) and Alex (Kris Holden-Ried, a near-ringer for musician Richard Thompson). She is a doctor who specializes in treating the Returned and he is a talented guitar teacher who happens to be one of the Returned. That they live in a fabulous high-rise condo with ultra-modern furnishings and seem mad for each other lead us to believe that such a situation might work.

Kate, who keeps her conflict of interest hidden from others at the hospital, over-confidently explains to the rightfully concerned parents of a young boy who must be injected every day for the rest of his life that, “Being one of the Returned is a privilege, not a curse.” Of course, she is just setting herself up to be proven wrong. 

Sure enough, the supply of antiviral serum is in danger of being depleted. Research is underway to create a synthetic variety but may not be available as quickly as first thought. The pending drought increases the opposition to keeping the infected alive. Some want to quarantine these stigmatized survivors, while others stage protests against their very existence.

As matters worsen and violence breaks out as the stock continues to dwindle, Kate–who already was getting  Alex’s supply under the counter–decides it’s time to they go on the run and hide out with the help of their supportive friends, who offer refuge at their remote chalet. 

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