'Get the Hell Out' Review | TIFF 2020

Is there an angle of the zombie movie that hasn't been explored yet? We've seen great comedies, action/thrillers, dramas, horror, and even romance. But, perhaps we don't need a new version - I don't mind when familiar tropes are used well. In I-Fan Wang's feature debut, he isn't reinventing the zombie wheel but he moves the cart along.

'Get the Hell Out' is a Taiwanese film that follows the chaos of the country's parliamentary assembly with amusing (and accidental) moments of foreshadowing to the COVID-19 pandemic we find ourselves in. When Hsiung (Megan Lai) a Member of Parliament is forced to resign, she relies on security guard Wang (Bruce Ho) to act as her political puppet. Things turn awry when the government is infected by a mysterious toxin and Hsiung and Wang simply look to survive.

While the story itself may seem generic for the zombie genre (is it considered a genre yet?), it is interesting to note that the backdrop of the Taiwan parliament is oddly apt. But probably what jumps out at me most is the stylized aesthetic of the film. Part Street Fighter, part Japanese game show, the movie has a bright colour palette and frenetic editing that fits perfectly with its tone and humour. It is a movie very suited for TIFF's Midnight Madness lineup.

The cast is strong with Lai and Ho both turning in good leading performances. He-Hsuan Lin was the scene-stealer in a supporting role offering great comedic moments.

TIFF's description of the film drew comparisons to "Stephen Chow’s mid-’90s nonsense comedies". As the daughter of Hong Kongers whose childhood was filled with watching Stephen Chow films, I can firmly say that there is no comparison. Chow's films are clever parodies bringing about laugh-until-it-hurts moments. They defined a generation and are legendary in the Hong Kong film industry. 'Get the Hell Out' definitely has some laughs and some great visuals, but it is a far cry from the 'nonsense comedies' of Stephen Chow.

I will admit, this was a hard review to write. I didn't come away with a strong feeling about the movie one way or the other. I wasn't particularly enamoured by the film, but I also don't dislike the movie by any stretch of the imagination. And this might be the stake in the coffin for this movie as it searches for distribution on this side of the world. It is a fun ride but one you will forget about once you leave the park.

'Get the Hell Out' is available for digital rental through TIFF Bell Digital Cinema until (presumably) the Toronto Film Festival finishes on September 20.