Director(s): Andy Palmer
Writer(s): Carlos Alazraqui and Jill-Michele Melean
Starring: Robert Belushi, Jill-Michele Melean, Vince Donvito, Carlos Alazraqui
Runtime: 1h 21min
Rating: n/a
Our Rating: ★★★
Witness Infection tells the story of two rival mob families who are transferred from the Witness Protection Program to the same city by mistake. Life has always been pretty protected for Carlo Serrelli. But his past is about to come back and bite him. Carlo’s father has kept him out of the deadly mob business by giving him a job at the family dog groomers, while his younger brother, Dominic, has always done the dirty work.
All that is coming to an end as Carlo’s father has to force him into an arranged marriage with the daughter of the rival Miola family boss. Carlo’s two best friends, Gina and Vince, vow to help him get out of this predicament, but they all get in way over their heads when a serious infection starts eating the town. The good news is that Carlo may not have to get married after all — but the bad news is that everyone might die.
Since the pandemic began, I have gravitated towards films like Witness Infection, because let’s face it the real world has been stressful as hell – laughs are needed. And I can happily report you will get a few smiles from this film. As the synopsis suggests Witness Infection is part Sopranos, Walking Dead, and even a little Romeo & Juliet only with sausage sandwiches. The characters although they might be over the top in the portrayal of Jersey mob stereotypes, it works in this film. They certainly add to the humor factor.
As far as horror comedies go this one has a significant body count, classic well-done practical make up and stunts, which is great considering this is not a huge studio release. And I must admit the appetizing sounding sausage sandwiches being the culprit of the zombieism is a welcome change. All the characters are really fun to watch, and you will pull for the three leads (Carlo, Gina and Vince) that unwittingly back ass first into heroism. There is also a fourth hero we meet later in the form of a bartender that manages to release her inner badass. Hat-tips writers for Rose’s speech!
Overall, you will get a kick out of this one, you don’t have to over analyze, try to discover the meaning of life, you will just enjoy watching zombies try to eat their next victim. HorrorFatale says See It. Also, is it wrong I kind of wanted a sausage sub after watching this?
The film stars: co-writer Jill-Michele Melean (“MadTV”, White/Latina), Robert Belushi (“How I Met Your Mother”, Sorority Row), Bret Ernst (“Cobra Kai”), Erinn Hayes (“Children’s Hospital”, “Medical Police”, “Kevin Can Wait”), Monique Coleman (the High School Musical franchise, “Dancing With the Stars”), and Joseph D. Reitman (“Happy!”, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back).
Witness Infection premiered at the 2020 HA Comedy Arts Festival and went on to screen at festivals around the world, picking up awards for Best Feature at HorrorHound and the Die Laughing Film Festival, Best Director at Die Laughing and the Frostbite Film Festival, and the Audience Choice Envy Award the Sin Film Festival.
Witness Infection is available to rent and own on North American digital HD internet, cable, and satellite platforms and DVD today on March 30, 2021 through Freestyle Digital Media.