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Among the diverse genres in cinema, horror has carved out a unique space, captivating audiences with its ability to evoke fear and suspense. Over decades, various sub-genres have emerged, each bringing something fresh to the table. One such innovative approach is the one-take horror film, withMadSbeing the latest addition to it.
Directed by David Moreau, this gripping short film has generated substantial buzz with its trailer, which offers a chilling glimpse into a nightmarish outbreak unfolding in real-time, captured in a continuous shot.
MadSTakes the Challenge of One Continuous Take in Horror
The combination of horror with one-shot films has recently emerged as a popular sub-genre, gaining traction with the success of films likeCut,Unfriended, andElizabeth Olsen’sacclaimed 2011 filmSilent House.
The one-shot film, a remake ofLa Casa Muda, earned Olsen widespread acclaim for her performance, before she gained recognition asWanda Maximoff, aka the Scarlet Witch, in the MCU.
And David Moreau’sMadSis the latest entry in this category, set to debut exclusively on Shudder. It follows the 18-year-old Romain, whose graduation celebration takes an unexpected turn after he comes to the aid of an injured woman.
The film’s official synopsis states,
Eighteen-year-old Romain has just graduated and makes a stop at his dealer’s place to try a new pill. As he heads off to a party, he sees an injured woman on the side of the road and decides to help her, but when she gets in his car, she suddenly smashes her own head against the dashboard, bleeding out until she dies.
The French film premiered at the 2024 Fantastic Fest andthe trailer was releasedearlier this month, which offers a brief insight into its narrative, hinting at a drug that breaches“containment.”
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The trailer has left viewers questioning,“Is it a bad trip,”a zombie outbreak, or something even more sinister?MadShas received praise for its portrayal of“outbreak horror,”suggesting that the drugs featured in the film may trigger a terrifying outbreak.
David Moreau Reflects on Making One-Take Movie,MadS
Known for his work on movies likeThem, The Eye,andSuels,David Moreau directed the upcoming horror film, which stars Milton Riche, Laurie Pavy, and Lucille Guillaume alongside Yovel Lewkowski, Sasha Rudakova, and Vincent Padermadjian.
While discussing the movie, Moreau highlighted the film’s central theme of exploring an“awaking nightmare, an immersive plunge into a universe where the boundary between dream and reality blurs, leaving our characters, and the audience, in a state of confusion and constant tension.”
He also explained that his decision to utilize the one-shot format was aimed at creating a more authentic and immersive experience as viewers follow the characters on their journey. As perCBR, he said,
The fundamental choice to shoot this film in a single shot stems from the desire to make this hallucinatory journey as authentic as possible. By closely following Romain, Anais, and Julie without interruption, the camera becomes a direct witness to this descent into hell, capturing every moment without filter or escape.
Moreau also noted that such an approach helps in enhancing the viewer’s connection to the characters’ struggles. The film’s trailer has generated significant buzz, particularly among fans of the one-shot horror genre.
MadSis set to premiere on 08 August 2025 on Shudder.
Elizabeth Olsen’sSilent Houseis available to rent or buy on Prime Video.
Laxmi Rajput
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3448
Laxmi Rajput is a Senior Writer at FandomWire, with over 3,300 articles published covering film, TV, and pop culture. With a degree in Broadcast Journalism and over three years of experience in content writing, she pivoted to entertainment journalism because let’s be honest, superheroes, sitcoms, and Netflix binges are way more fun. Laxmi frequently covers Marvel, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and popular TV shows, offering both fan-first enthusiasm and thoughtful analysis. Her work often dives into Marvel theories, revisits the genius of The Big Bang Theory, or unpacks the Netflix phenomenon of Stranger Things.
