Mullberry Street is an example of a movie that delivers scares, gore and decent acting.
Horror movies commonly lack heart, substance and originality. Fortunately for After Dark Films and their newest release, Mullberry Street, the typical horror movie mold was broken. Mullberry Streetoffers fans an opportunity to view a movie with great acting, good music, decent plot, and lots of blood. This rarity is scarcely seen in horror films. To be fair, the general plot line is not totally original, but it is nice to see a variation on the zombie genre.
The Set Up
The film focuses on a group of tenants who recently find out that their apartment is going to be torn down in favor of an expanding commercial area. Clutch (played aptly by Nick Damici of The Black Donnellys) headlines the cast as Manhattan Island becomes isolated after an infection breaks out. The infection is delivered into humans through rodent saliva, thus causing the human to become a carrier and infect other humans. From here, the city becomes overrun by rodent-like infected humans (yes, the people adapt the traits of a rat, both in look and action). While on the run, Clutch and other apartment tenants must fight off the rat people and attempt to make it through the night.
Were-Rats are Everywhere!
The story incorporates a novel approach at the infection archetype. While many movies have done their fair share of playing off the story of what happens when humans meddle in science, Mullberry Street offers a new look. The approach, which includes no explanation at all, may leave some viewers stranded. However, what this approach does do is allow the viewer to focus on the task at hand: escaping the were-rats.
The viewer is put in the same situation as the characters in the film. Without any knowledge of what is going on, the characters are forced to adapt to the situation and either fight or run. The viewer is then engaged into the forefront of the movie and must decide what necessary actions should be taken along side with the characters.
Social Satire
For the sake of argument, some possible explanations can be served up to clarify the events of the movie. Being in a time of decline, America will continually be the victim of satire via movies. With this said, like many other infection/zombie movies, the disease can probably be linked to the government. Keep a close eye on the birds flying out of town in the beginning of the movie, as well as, all the advertisements for the housing company that is taking over the apartment complex. The clues scream for some sort of government conspiracy or cover-up.
This is idea is further established when government officials are caught publicly dragging their feet about making a decision on what to do with the Island (which is eventually quarantined). The ending includes a swarm of masked ‘professionals’ who clean out the city and hunt for survivors. The fate of the rooftop survivors is unknown, but the befuddled leap of faith and twist of fate involving Clutch provide the coup-de-gras for viewers in this heart felt horror movie.
