Review
Cooties (Comedy, Horror) (2014)
Director: Jonathan Milott, Cary Murnion
Writer: Leigh Whannell, Ian Brennan, Josh C. Waller
Stars: Elijah Wood, Rainn Wilson, Alison Pill, Jack McBrayer
Due to an unknown substance in several batches of chicken nuggets, children are infected and turning literally feral. The only survivors are a group of teachers, now banding up to stand a chance against these mutated little monsters.
Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival, Millot and Murnion’s film sees elementary school children turn to zombies in a funny and surprisingly morbid comedy horror. It was filmed entirely in Los Angeles, California, and produced by SpectreVision and Glacier Films while distributed by Lionsgate Premiere in a limited video-on-demand release.
When aspiring horror novelist Clint (Elijah Wood) returns to his childhood home to substitute at his former elementary school, his first day takes an unexpected turn as the children have consumed chicken nuggets tainted with a mysterious virus which turns them into zombies. Protecting himself, he teams up with the other teachers as they try to escape the school in Fort Chicken.
There’s a weird sense of nostalgia within the comedic style of ‘’Cooties’’ a 2014 horror-comedy packed with a host of 00s TV actors. It was never intended to be much more than a campy zombie feature; this might just land itself within the exact niche it needs to and is worth a rewatch.
From an uncomfortable re-introduction to his old elementary school, Wood’s Clint isn’t given much time before his hometown turns into a horror film or novel. The abruptness of it sends him and his fellow surviving teachers into a tailspin as they are expected to adjust fast. While logically, it’s not a one-shot film, time presents chronologically and thus passes as usual within takes. 
Comfortable with what it needs to be and capable of setting a brisk pace, even lesser parts within the film are quickly replaced by the following one-liner or fourth wall break. The outrageous yet simple-natured comedy with typical archetypes gives off a sense of comedy barely seen today, even if it relies too much on some less engaging romance between Wood and Pill, with Wilson’s character being less than pleased that someone’s making moves on his wife.
What makes ‘’Cooties’’ work more than anything is the minor jokes over the established comedy. Between McBrayer’s incidental spouting and Whannel just excelling with his flaky, oddball attitudes and moments, there’s an excellent sequel buried here, although, after ten years, it might never happen.
Verdict
I might’ve caught something, I hope it’s not Cooties.
7,2
