Starring: Allen Maldonado, Sid Haig, Lauren Mae Shafer, Courtney Gains, Taylor Piedmonte, David G.B. Brown, and Jana Thompson
Directed by: Douglas Schulze
Written by: Douglas Schulze (story) and Joshua Wagner (screenplay)
Running time: 95 minutes
Rated: R (for bloody violence and for language)
[Mimesis, as defined by Merriam Webster Dictionary: “imitation, mimicry.”]
At first glance, director Douglas Schulze’s film Mimesis is just another Night of the Living Dead remake in a sea of films
trying to capitalize on the current zombie craze. Upon watching the film though, we learn that it’s much more complex and timely than a mediocre remake of a classic film. At its heart is a social commentary on what might happen if life were to imitate art in an extreme fashion. The question at hand here is do horror films drive already unsteady fans to commit acts of violence or is that just an excuse when nobody wants to see the real reasons?
The brilliant aspect of Douglas Schulze’s story here is in its homage to George A. Romero’s classic film Night of the Living Dead. Romero’s film is known for its social commentary which Schulze also pays homage to, only in a different way.
We are introduced to two buddies Duane, played by Allen Maldonado (The Midnight Meat Train) and Russell, played by Taylor Piedmonte (Offspring) who are attending a horror convention. The two meet a beautiful fellow horror fan, Judith (Lauren Mae Shafer-The Ides of March) who invites them to an exclusive party that night. Duane, who is immediately attracted to Judith, convinces Russell to go in the hopes he will get to know her. Once at the party, Duane is disappointed to discover that Judith is there with another guy, so he and Russell begrudgingly begin to party.
The next morning Duane, Russell and some other party goers awaken to find they are in different clothes and a different place then they were the night before. All are horrified to learn they are under attack from flesh eating zombies in a situation which is all too similar to the classic film, Night of the Living Dead and that each of them is playing a part from that movie. The unwilling participants must find a way out of this nightmarish real-life movie before their fates mimic those in the classic film.
Mimesis takes an original concept and fleshes it out quite nicely. Those thinking they know how the story will play out will be in for a pleasant surprise. The appeal of this film is in its unconventional plot which will undoubtedly catch most viewer’s off-guard.
The main cast seems to be well suited for this film. Lead actors Allen Maldonado and Taylor Piedmonte make for convincing protagonists. The supporting cast is also adequate in their roles. Genre icon Sid Haig (House of 1000 
corpses) makes a brief, yet significant appearance as a filmmaker who’s tired of his films being blamed for real-life violence which foreshadows the events to come in the film. Other supporting cast includes Courtney Gains (Children of the Corn) in a cameo part. David G.B. Brown, Jana Thompson, and Gavin Grazer do a fine job in their roles. Keep an eye out for another cameo of a legendary figure in the genre towards the end of the film, see if you can spot who I’m talking about.
Mimesis has pretty good makeup effects and the zombie gut munching scenes are gory enough. The zombies themselves are a little lacking in the makeup department but there is a reason for that which I can’t spoil for you. Overall, most will be happy with the amount and quality of the gore in the film.
The only problem I found with Mimesis is in the execution of the second half of the film. I felt the big reveal was a little underwhelming and left me wanting more explanation as to 
the antagonist’s actions, but it was not a big drawback for me.
Overall, I was very happy with Mimesis, it was not what I was expecting at all. Those who may find themselves unhappy early on need to be patient and stick with the story as it unfolds. As I spoke about earlier, there is some relevant social commentary in the film that could be ripped out of today’s headlines, which makes Mimesis all the more pertinent to today’s horror fans. Regardless of which side of the fence you fall on over the main theme’s debate, the film is engaging nonetheless. Fans of the classic Night of the Living Dead will find Mimesis an enjoyable thrill ride, recommended.
Check out the trailer here,
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