What would you do to reach your family in the midst of a deadly, terrifying pandemic? That’s the question at the heart of 16 States. States is a spec script from John Requa and Glenn Ficarra (Crazy, Stupid, Love, Focus) that just got bought by Lionsgate. The studio has tasked Fede Álvarez to direct the feature, which finds “a mother trying to reach her family at the center of [a pandemic].”
Oh, and this isn’t just any pandemic. The outbreak in 16 States is a zombie outbreak. Yikes, those are never easy. THR describes the film as “having shades” of I Am Legend. I’m not sure if comparing the film to one of the laziest, dumbest apocalyptic movies ever is a good approach but, hey, what do I know?
It may seem that studios would be afraid of a movie like 16 States in light of current events but that doesn’t seem to be the case because multiple buyers were trying to nab this project after the spec script was announced last weekend. There was something of a bidding war before Lionsgate won the rights, proving that Hollywood isn’t frightened by the subject matter. That’s a huge relief because I personally believe now is the perfect time for stories like this. They will feel more realistic, more important. They could also serve as a sort of cathartic release after months of COVID-19 fear and despair.
Honestly, zombie movies are always welcome if you ask me. They play upon the universal fear of death which is always terrifying. You see, when you get right down to it the zombie symbolizes unescapable death: no matter what you do or how you hide or how you prepare eventually it will surround, overwhelm and destroy you. So zombie movies will always be scary because the fear of the grim reaper is always scary.
But zombie movies also have the power to play upon other fears and address issues that aren’t always examined in horror films. Racism, capitalism, misogyny — these are all the heavy issues looked at in various zombie films. These films are always necessary because there is always a heady subject that needs to be criticized and satirized. No matter the time, no matter the crisis, no matter the country — zombie movies are always capable of being important, statement movies.
Anyway, Álvarez has proven himself to horror fans with his work on the Evil Dead remake and Don’t Breathe so he has some goodwill built up with scary movie fanatics. I am sure they — and many others — will be ready for 16 States when it lurches to life.