The movie titled The Crazies has climbed up to the second most-watched position on the free streaming service Tubi, reviving its popularity, especially since it features a 15-year-old remake with Timothy Olyphant in the lead role. This film is set in the fictional town of Ogden Marsh, Iowa, which gets contaminated by a biological agent that transforms its victims into deranged killers. Despite not being a traditional zombie movie, it does draw on several common themes of the genre and, interestingly enough, might even be scarier due to the more cunning behavior exhibited by the infected characters in this version.
As a devoted cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that the movie I’m currently watching is actually a reimagining of the 1973 film, famously known by the same title, penned and directed by the undisputed king of zombies, George Romero. Regrettably, the initial release in 1973 was a box office flop, but over time, it has been recognized as a cult classic. This renewed appreciation led to its remake in 2010, with Romero himself stepping in as an executive producer for this modern take. Now, thanks to Tubi, a streaming platform that provides access to various titles for free with ads, The Crazies has experienced a resurgence in popularity.
Featuring actors such as Olyphant, Radha Mitchell, Joe Anderson, and Danielle Panabaker, this movie is remarkably suspenseful due to its small-town backdrop and the swift imprisonment experienced by the characters. Upon examining Romero’s body of work, it becomes clear that the writer and director aimed to make zombies increasingly resemble humans. In this particular film, The Crazies, the infected in both the original and remake are notably more ruthless in their violent acts, a testament to Romero’s desire to humanize these undead creatures.
‘The Crazies’ is Especially Thematically Relevant Today
Apart from Timothy Olyphant’s gripping portrayal and the movie’s adrenaline-pumping action, The Crazies’ popularity on Tubi with the second spot might be due to several factors. In light of today’s societal context, the storyline’s exploration of government inefficiency and corruption resonates deeply. While the infected serve as the primary adversaries, the government’s brutal efforts to contain the virus, which often cross ethical lines, create a powerful antagonistic force throughout the film. This makes the narrative all the more chilling and thought-provoking.
One pivotal aspect propelling “The Crazies” is its nihilistic theme, particularly evident in its bleak finale which hints at the infection spreading further because it’s not contained. Despite earning $54 million against a production budget of $20 million, suggesting it wasn’t a flop, there was no clear sign of a sequel. However, given its enduring appeal on streaming platforms, this offbeat zombie movie has managed to stay relevant over time.
The zombie theme continues to be significant, as evident by the highly anticipated release of “28 Years Later,” a sequel to “28 Days Later,” in 2025. While “The Crazies” didn’t receive a sequel, its unique portrayal of infected individuals and dark societal critiques have persisted in zombie films, becoming a common feature in acclaimed movies and series within the genre. With the added bonus of being free to stream on Tubi, it’s definitely worth checking out.
Read More
- XRP Price Eyes $2 Support Level Amidst Market Correction
- 15 Charged for converting Drug Cartels’ Cash into Cryptocurrency in U.S.
- OREO Unveils Six New Products for 2025
- PYTH PREDICTION. PYTH cryptocurrency
- ‘Fast and Furious’ Star Paul Walker Remembered 11 Years After His Death
- Russell T Davies Says He “Kind Of Hopes” The Streaming Bubble Will “Pop”
- Apple Lands Anya Taylor-Joy Led Drama ‘Lucky,’ Based on Bestseller
- Paul Atkins to Replace Gary Gensler as Next SEC Chair?
- Google’s Willow Quantum Chip Sparks Bitcoin Security Debate
- Crypto VC funding roundup: Riot snags over $594m, BVNK raises $50m
2025-01-11 01:03