Dissident Brains: Juan of the Dead (Spain & Cuba, 2011)

Published: Jan. 9, 2020, 9:30 a.m.

Ever wonder how a zombie plague would shake out in Cuba? Juan of the Dead is a fresh, gory and original zombie flick with genuine laughs and impressive tracking shots. Zombie slaying montages also mask subversive commentary on a nation that is frequently demonized and misunderstood by outsiders. Also, do you remember the 90s? Would you rather deal with an evil Ghostwriter, or an evil Wishbone?

Motion Picture Terror Scale: 2 (Marcus), 1+ (Melissa). Quality: 5/4+ Personal enjoyment: 5/5

Articles mentioned in this episode:

"JUAN OF THE DEAD DIRECTOR ALEJANDRO BRUGUÉS ON CUBA’S FIRST HORROR MOVIE," by Sarah Dobbs in SciFiNow

"The “Juan of the Dead” Interview, Part 2," by Carlos Eduardo Maristany Castro in Cuban Art News

"Alejandro Brugués, Director of Cuban Zombie Flick, Juan of the Dead, Talks Real Monsters," by Ily Goyanes in the Miami New Times