2024 was a year for the cinematic release of horror movies. The big screens treated us to movies such as Smile 2, Substance, Terrifier 3, Heretic and Nosferatu.

But what about the horror movies on small screen? There are many hidden gems amongst less well known movies including an intense horror movie on the streaming service Shudder, called MadS.

MadS was released in September 2024 by French writer and Director David Moreau, who isn’t a stranger to the horror movie scene. He has treated us to horror movies such as 2006 French home invasion horror They and 2008’s The Eye which starred Jessica Alba.

Image Credit: MadS (Shudder), Dir. David Moreau

However, MadS takes it to the next level with a genre or horror you might think you have seen before, but with a twist.

MadS tells the story of eighteen-year-old Romain who has newly graduated and is off to a house party to celebrate, but not before he makes a stop at his dealers house to try out a new pill. Unbeknownst to Romain, his dealer and other party goers, this new pill causes a zombie outbreak which we get to watch unfold between himself and his friends.

When you hear the film being referred to as a zombie movie, you might think of 28 Days Later, Evil Dead or Dawn of the Dead. However, this isn’t your typical zombie apocalypse horror by any means, as MadS gives a more intimate and intense approach by following the three main characters in the midst of this chaotic night.

Image Credit: MadS (Shudder), Dir. David Moreau

This was brilliantly achieved by David Moreau’s choice to film the movie in one continuous shot. This means the camera kept rolling from start to finish, with no cuts or edits. Very little movies have been filmed with one continuous shot, but many movies have been filmed and edited to give the appearance and feeling to the viewers like they have, or have featured a long continuous take.

Moreau took his inspiration from the German crime film Victoria, directed by Sebastian Schipper, which was filmed with one continuous shot with as little as 3 attempts. Moreau was eager to film his movie the same way, as it adds a sense of realism, and he wanted this movie to be unbelievably believable.

It took Moreau, the cast and crew a total of 5 attempts, which were shot over 5 nights to achieve this, with only one technical rehearsal. The first couple of nights were trial and error, with the 5^th and final take being the one that viewers would end up watching.

Image Credit: MadS (Shudder), Dir. David Moreau

MadS was beautifully executed. It felt a unique movie, with intensity building almost from right off the bat.

MadS was my top movie from 2024, and a true underdog in my opinion. Beating all horror movies that I caught at the cinema, and my favourite one to date from David Moreau. It was a movie that I thought about for days after and was my must watch recommendation to other horror lovers, especially of the zombie subgenre.

If you want to see what the fuss is about, then MadS is available to watch on a Shudder streaming subscription.

Featured Image Credit: MadS (Shudder), Dir. David Moreau