After a zombie outbreak, the infected people survive due to a vaccine made of the the spinal fluid of dead zombies and they are called "Returned". Dr. Kate (Emily Hampshire) works in a hospital and is responsible for the wing of Returned". There is a rumor that the vaccine is running out and Kate secretly buys vaccines from Eve (Melina Matthews),who is the responsible for the storeroom. Kate's beloved husband, the musician Alex (Kris Holden-Ried),was infected and only Kate and Alex's brother Jacob (Shawn Doyle) and his wife Amber (Claudia Bassols) knows. When the vaccine runs out, the government brings the infected people to quarantine centers while research a synthetic vaccine. However, Alex and Kate flee to Jacob's house in the countryside expecting that Alex survives until the synthetic vaccine becomes reality. But when Alex's wallet is stolen, Kate's last hope is to get some vaccines from the director of the hospital where she works. Will she succeed?

"The Returned" is among the best zombie movies with a dramatic and credible story and outstanding direction and performances. The behavior of the human beings feeling despair for the situation with beloved ones is impressive and realistic. The dark conclusion is predictable but also perfect. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Retornados" ("Returned")

During the first zombie outbreak that we don't get to see, over 100 million people died. A drug was found to control the disease. There is a catch. The drug must be injected every 36 hours or the person reverts. There is a short supply of the drug as it is derived from the spinal column of dead zombies. Kate (Emily Hampshire) is a doctor who treats "the Returned" and has a boyfriend Alex ( Kris Holden-Ried) who is a music teacher and one of them.

Kate buys treatments under the table. She has to battle against the societal prejudice against "zombies" which has become a politically incorrect word. It takes about 40 minutes to develop the plot and character.

The film has parallels to homophobia and various prejudices, after all who wants their sister to marry a zombie? There are anti-return groups and killings.

The main problem is when the movie picks up it still moves slow. I kept waiting for something to catch and hold my interest. The ending was a yawn in spite of the attempt at being a dramatic twist. Not exactly a zombie film.

Parental Guide: F-bomb. No sex or nudity

Extremely well acted, believable and heart wrenching, a zombie movie like few others.

IF a zombie apocalypse could happen, I picture a world just like this.

As with any epidemic, people panic and rightly so...But there's always two sides to every story and something horrible doesn't make it any less human, or less important to those involved, and that's why this film is so effective.

Friends will turn on friends if they have to, people will commit desperate acts to save their loved ones...

Typical human behavior.

This film could be anytime, anywhere, is far too realistic in its own right...And THAT, is terrifyingly effective.

Bravo...Bravo...