American Primeval Creator Wrote One of the Most Horrifying War Movies Ever

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More recently, the Netflix series “American Primeval” has been garnering attention for its gripping portrayal of American westward expansion, populated by intriguing characters. The show’s creator, Mark L. Smith, has swiftly gained recognition thanks to the series’ success. Given his past works like “The Revenant, Twisters, The Midnight Sky“, and others, it’s no surprise that this is a remarkable TV debut.

Among Mark L. Smith’s lesser-known ventures is the chilling war-themed horror film, “Overlord,” which we’ll explore for its strengths and potential links to “American Primeval.

Gunfire, Gore, Zombies & More in ‘Overlord’

During World War II’s D-Day, the story unfolds around a band of American paratroopers who were assigned to demolish a German radio interference tower hidden beyond enemy territories. Unfortunately, their aircraft gets hit and only a handful survive. Undeterred by the losses, they press on with the mission. With the help of a local French resident, they make their way to an abandoned church which serves as the stronghold of the jammer. However, the grim realities of warfare take a chilling turn when they encounter legions of zombies – a product of Nazi research into the supernatural and unconventional science.

In a somewhat lesser-known but gradually growing career within the realm of genre films, Julius Avery took the helm for “Overlord.” Despite not being a household name, he managed to gather a moderate fanbase for this film and his future projects such as 2022’s Sylvester Stallone-led superhero movie “Samaritan” and the recent religious horror flick, “The Pope’s Exorcist.”

Interestingly enough, the link between Mark L. Smith, the mind behind American Primeval and Overlord, stems from a co-writing credit with Billy Ray. Following his greatest success in 2015’s The Revenant, Smith ventured into the world of Nazi zombies with “Overlord.” The story largely revolves around Jovan Adepo as Private First Class Edward Boyce, with Wyatt Russell as Corporal Lewis Ford and Mathilde Ollivier as Chloe Laurent playing key roles.

‘Overlord’ Is One of the Most Horrifying War Movies

War offers a stark, unnerving reality that typically doesn’t require monsters or the supernatural for intensity – this blend can sometimes fall flat. However, films like “Dog Soldiers“, “R-Point“, and “Trench 11” succeed in doing so. Regrettably, many others fail to hit the mark for every movie that combines human-induced horrors with something otherworldly effectively. Remarkably, “Overlord manages to portray both the chaos and fear of war remarkably well while incorporating a dark theme with comparable success“. The initial scene, specifically, depicting American soldiers flying overhead and encountering the carnage of the front line, creates an image as chilling as the undead they confront later.

The war scenes transform into a type of horror movie that many people would recognize, with an emphasis on Nazi research to reanimate dead soldiers as combatants. This ties into the long-standing belief (and exciting for viewers) about Nazi involvement in occult practices. What makes the film Overlord so popular among contemporary and new horror enthusiasts is its smooth narrative flow. The writing skills of Mark L. Smith are on full display here, as Overlord expertly combines elements from both genres and creates a cohesive, immersive viewing experience.

Critics generally liked the film “Overlord,” but it’s currently rated 82% with 225 reviews. Despite the positive feedback, the movie struggled at the horror movie box office, earning just $41.6 million globally on a budget of $38 million. However, it has gradually gained a devoted following among fans, being one of the rare ‘Nazi zombie’ films made with a big budget; and given its poor box office performance, possibly the last one as well.

The increased admiration for this film stems not only from its balanced portrayal of war and horror but also from broadening the scope of horror beyond simple labels like ‘boring.’ This expansion of perspective has been crucial in redefining what a horror fan might expect, as initial reactions were lukewarm. However, with compelling drama and exceptional character development, this movie has since garnered renewed appreciation and admiration.

Will Fans of ‘American Primeval’ Like ‘Overlord’?

The styles, settings, and storytelling techniques in Overlord and American Primeval vary greatly, a fact that may surprise some people given Mark L. Smith’s contributions to both. There is indeed an overlap in potential audiences, but it will ultimately depend on those who enjoy a mix of historical violence and fantastical elements. Both titles hold appeal for enthusiasts of Westerns and horror movies alike. However, devotees who strictly adhere to one or the other genres might not find enjoyment in both productions.

Mark L. Smith’s talent for merging genres and crafting captivating characters is evident in both his projects, and it might surprise you that more people enjoy these titles than you might initially expect. Here are streaming options for them: American Primeval can be found on Netflix, while Overlord is available for rental or purchase across popular platforms, but can also be streamed for free on Pluto TV here, or on Tubi through the link provided below.

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2025-01-19 03:01