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Stephen McHattie, Lisa Houle, Georgina Reilly, Hrant Alianak

Bruce McDonald, critically acclaimed director of The Tracey Fragments, teams with author Tony Burgess to adapt Burgess' own novel about a small town in the grip of a mysterious frenzy. It may be Valen... read more read more...tine's Day, but for caustic radio personality Grant Mazzy (Stephen McHattie) that's just another reason to be miserable. Mazzy used to be a certified radio superstar, but working in Pontypool is a far shot from working in the big city. Today, however, as Mazzy prepares for his regular routine of reading the weather, updating school closings, and pleading his case for a little on-air controversy to producer Sydney Bryer (Lisa Houle), the appearance of an unexpected figure signals the beginning of a disturbing phenomenon in the small town of Pontypool. Heading to work, Mazzy is nearly run over by a distraught woman who seems to have lost her grip on reality. Later, reports of a shoot-out between provincial police and a group of local ice fishers are made even more bizarre by the revelation that they were all screaming gibberish, running around nude, and missing body parts. By the time a riot breaks out in Dr. Mendez's (Hrant Alianak) office, it's obvious to Mazzy that the residents of Pontypool are suffering from a strange form of contagious dementia, but what has caused this bizarre outbreak and, more importantly, how can it be stopped? ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Flixster Users

68% liked it

5,049 ratings

Critics

83% liked it

77 critics

PG, 1 hr. 35 min.

Directed by: Bruce McDonald

Release Date: May 29, 2009

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DVD Release Date: July 21, 2008

Stats: 939 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (939)

  • flixsterman
    November 2, 2011
    flixsterman
    In a genre that's overexposed, overworked and often overrated Pontypool still manages to be original and intelligent.
  • theunknownhobo
    August 24, 2011
    theunknownhobo
    This movie proves just how spectacularly good horror movies can be. Not your standard zombie apocalypse nonsense, Pontypool proves that what you don't see is a million times more frightening that what you do see. Intelligent and original it spins the tale of three people working ... read moreat a radio station when a virus outside begins to turn people into zombie-esque creatures. They soon realised that language is transmitting the virus and systematically begin to "un-understand" the words they know in order to save their lives. With an intoxicating start and smack-you-in-the-face ending, with all the delicious bits in between this movie in short ROCKED.
  • ceWEBrity
    March 1, 2011
    ceWEBrity
    Pontypool is a neat, unusual little movie, a scarcely-known cinephile treat that the patient and the offbeat will find rather rewarding. By far its most interesting conceit is the premise, centered on a virus that is transmitted linguistically. This allows Bruce McDonald and orig... read moreinal book author Tony Burgess to toy with words and expression in some really unique ways; a lot of the film's novelty comes with its constant reconstruction of how sound and comprehension works, and the nature of the virus is so unique that this really doesn't have to play by any "zombie" film rules. (It's worth mentioning that the infected folks in Pontypool aren't actually zombies, but they're its closest horror analogue, so whatever.) Making the deadliness of sound more imposing still are the extremely small, cramped interiors. The movie takes place in one location with only a few rooms, and it uses its limitations in surprisingly clever ways. Though a trained eye will recognize the film as low-budget, it's sharply filmed, (usually) conscientiously acted and carefully assembled; it never really FEELS low-budget. Subtle suggestive touches, such as the running commentary from the man in the "helicopter," stand in handsomely for expensive special effects, and on the rare occasions Pontypool does splurge it looks pretty awesome.

    That said, I felt its biggest struggle was an inconsistent grasp on tone. Frankly, I don't think the movie is incredibly effective as a horror. Tension definitely accumulates, but the rhythm between the buildups and the breakdowns feels uneven. There's a great deal of menace present in the setting and situation alone, but I think ultimately Pontypool was not concerned with being a "scary movie." Furthering this is the presence of certain elements such as the doctor character, who creates an uncomfortable tonal shift in the middle of the film. His performance is unnaturally excessive and doesn't really gel with the rest of the cast. Grant Mazzy, memorably inhabited by Stephen McHattie, is just as large a character, but so skillfully vocalized and performed that when he's over the top, you know it's because Grant is an over the top person. I also had problems with the end of the film, a rather sickly and unprecedented stab at the military, presented through an uninteresting monologue and complete with a disastrous satirical-patriotic tune. This isn't to say that there's not comedy throughout Pontypool, but as a closing note these elements feel inorganic and the film left me wishing it had played its ending a little straighter. It's a sadly shaky grace note for what is, all told, one of the most original and well-plotted horror films to come down the tube in a long time.
  • itsjustme2004
    October 14, 2010
    itsjustme2004
    Hahahaha. Pretty cool! Not your typical disgusting gorey Zombie movie. It has very little gorey stuff, actually (but just enough to make me happy). This was more a psychological horror film. I can't really call them Zombies, cuz I guess by definition Zombies have to rise from the... read more dead. These are in fact infected humans. AND we don't so much see them all the time, but get to hear over cell phones, etc. the horror that is happening. Nice twist
  • arashxak
    September 28, 2010
    arashxak
    Finally a horror movie that doesn't insult the viewer's intelligence, not only the premise is original & thought-provoking but also the film's approach is refreshing & ingenious, We see only a smart part of what's happening & hear the most which doubles the effect, And of course ... read morethe film owes a lot to Mchattie (I used to watch Cold Squad series only because of him) & Briar's great perfs (& she is charming too), There are a few ridiculous moments but I can't complain
  • lewiskendell
    August 28, 2010
    lewiskendell
    "Do you really want to provide a genocide with elevator music?"

    This is certainly one of the most unique movies that I've seen this year. There's no doubt about that.

    I give Pontypool massive props for putting it's own spin on the zombie/virus genre. We see the story unfold thr... read moreough the eyes of a few people at a radio station, and we get no more information than they do. They don't have many answers, and neither do we. The story started off pretty slow, but there are some seriously tense and creepy moments that happen as we hear what's going on in the outside world. Eventually, the radio station itself is no longer the safe place it initially seemed to be. virtually none of the violence and little of the gore happens on-screen, but it all makes sense within the scenario.

    Pontypool's main weakness is that when the answers do start coming, they're a little too ambitious and "different". I'm all for variety and anything that dares to be more creative than the standard old zombies, but the story here gets more muddled as it goes on, and the explanations aren't really communicated clearly. Perhaps we were expected to read between the lines, and I had a nagging feeling that some knowledge of the political situation in the part of Canada where this movie was set would have given me a bit more clarity.

    I give Pontypool an A- for effort and originality, but a C- for execution. With a few changes to the story, this could have been brilliant. As it stands, it's flawed, but still worth watching if you like your horror low-key and you're looking for something other than the same old thing.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    August 22, 2010
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Pontypool is a definite breath of fresh air in the horror genre. In a period where remakes are king, from time to time there will be a film thats very original. That where Pontypool comes in. A slow building moving, Pontypool will certainly be dismissed as too slow, it is, but it... read more makes the tension and suspense build up to an awesome climax. A film that delivers something different, this will probably appeal to old fans of horror who actually know what a horror film is. Pontypool is not a film for today's generation as it's not a remake, so if you only like horror remakes pass up on this one, because it has something that your precious remakes don't have, originality.
  • DragonEyeMorrison
    July 18, 2010
    DragonEyeMorrison
    A clever and smart horror movie, thus, not the kind of movie for most "horror fans" out there. Just check some reviews ("it's a zombie movie with no zombies, DERP!) For the rest of us who are tired and sick of every new insipid zombie movie, every stupid "scary" movie using a han... read moredheld camera, and every other derivation of the same slasher film Pontypool is psychological horror heaven.

    Now, the movie is not without it's flaws, you could say it's trying to chew way too many topics at the same time. But first of all, this is a truly atmospheric movie. Sure, there are some common places, almost right from the beginning there's the usual shot of somebody slamming his/her hand on a car window, among other stuff. Neverless, the movie builds up tension thanks to it's inventive nature, and because it actually believes the audience has a working brain, and let's the viewer use their mind to expand the experience. We never see most of what is happening, but we hear it, and it's far more chilling that way, and way more rewarding. Instead of showing us the old tired scenes of devastation we are left with just the screams of the dying, the sense of an inminent death approaching at almost every turn.

    A film like this one needs strong performances, and well written dialogues. Pontypool has both, with some gaps here and there. A doctor goes in full 50s monster movie/scientific explanation, complete with dramatic acting. Neverless, Pontypool remains an effective psychological horror piece, and a very well made comentary on the media, the deformation of language, and how this corruption of information can become a "virus" and infect people. Making them repeating words without even knowing the meaning behind the words. In this era of viral marketing, internet memes and what not this resonates a lot.
  • bbcfloridabound
    July 13, 2010
    bbcfloridabound
    This movie is a riot as far a zombie movies are concern. Stephen McHattie, plays an outstanding part as a burn out DJ. The town of Pontypool was a viral infection that is spread by words and turns everybody into flesh eating zombies. The movie is enjoyable until the last 20 minu... read moretes when it takes a complete turn in lets finish this thing, it completely dies but until that point worth 4 1/2 stars
  • LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    March 25, 2010
    LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    "Shut Up Or Die"

    A psychological thriller in which a deadly virus infects a small Ontario town.

    REVIEW

    In a day and age where the horror and suspense genres are polluted by gratuitous violence ... read moreand gore, Pontypool is a breath of fresh air. Pontypool, a small town located in Ontario, falls victim to a virus for which environmental stimuli are not the trigger; words are. Those affected are compelled to kill others and, in general, the infection described is zombie-like in nature. The gore and carnage, however, take place predominately offscreen. What viewers are left with is a detachment from the situation from the security of a radio station. Stories roll in, reports from other media outlets and correspondents outside of the station, and those viewing the movie are left eager for more information, empathizing with the protagonists left in the station, who are unsure whether or not the whole story is a hoax. Phenomenal performances are the highlight of this character driven piece, and viewers are left on the edge of their seats, waiting for the very poignant conclusion.

View All Pontypool Reviews

Critic Reviews

Stephen Farber
December 17, 2009
Stephen Farber, Hollywood Reporter

This low-budget picture is a little too claustrophobic, and it grows tedious. The ominous, overbearing musical score tries but fails to jack up the tension.

Rob Nelson
September 1, 2009
Rob Nelson, Variety

However shrewdly contrived to keep its budget low, Pontypool, set almost entirely in a basement radio station, is a zombie flick sans bite. Full Review

Stephen Whitty
June 5, 2009
Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger

For a while, this claustrophobic little horror movie is a dark little treat. Full Review

Andrew O'Hehir
June 5, 2009
Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com

If you're a devotee of the deranged mind of Canadian indie auteur Bruce McDonald, then I can just tell you that he's made a horror movie (kind of) and that Pontypool is it. Full Review

Elizabeth Weitzman
May 29, 2009
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News

A horror flick that's all talk and (almost) no action? The risk pays off better than you'd think. Full Review

V.A. Musetto
May 29, 2009
V.A. Musetto, New York Post

What's a zombie movie without zombies? A dull zombie movie. Full Review

Stephen Holden
May 29, 2009
Stephen Holden, New York Times

A small Canadian horror film that makes the most of its minuscule budget.

Lisa Schwarzbaum
May 27, 2009
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

Think of this witty, economically gory little tour de force as 28 Days Later written by 
linguist Noam Chomsky. Full Review

Rex Reed
May 27, 2009
Rex Reed, New York Observer

If it wasn't so boring, the dialogue would be a laugh a minute. The acting is so abominable that the cast is better off unmentioned. Full Review

Melissa Anderson
May 27, 2009
Melissa Anderson, Village Voice

For a film about the perils of too much talk, there's quite a lot of babbling presented as profundity. Full Review

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