Rammbock: Berlin Undead

The zombie genocide genre has been a popular horror film staple for decades, though in the last ten years we can safely say that it’s been done to death. Zombie movies, Zombie TV shows, Zombie parodies, will the dead never rest? However, every once in a while one of these genre films turns around to defy expectations. “Rammbock” is a zombie survival film that goes back to the genre’s roots and becomes an international success.

“Rammbock” stars Michael Fuith as (well) Michael, a middle-aged man at a lonely apartment complex in Berlin who just wants to make up with his girlfriend Gabi. Going up into her apartment he sees she isn’t there, but only a superintendent and his teen apprentice Harper. The super is screaming, growling with rage, and tries to attack Michael. Harper manages to trap the assailant outside in the staircase, while on TV he and Michael watch news reports of nearby German cities evacuated from a virus. For the next several days the two men barricade themselves from the threat outside, meanwhile looking down into the courtyard seeing other tenants die in the carnage of the infected. Food is scarce, and any attempts to get out or bar up the front gates ends in tragedy. Other dwellers are committing suicide. Michael only wants to make sure that Gabi is alive and well, but his cell phone is out in the stairway with the monsters. With each hour growing more desperate, Michael and Harper come to realize that they need a plan soon or they won’t survive.

The film’s title translates in English to “Battering Ram” which is only used once but also serves as a catalyst for our heroes’ escape. Nevertheless, from the very beginning we can see that this is a smart movie. Michael might be the romantic lead but he’s balding, aged 35, somewhat naive, and seriously needs braces on those crooked teeth. Still, he is a very sympathetic character and we want to see him pull through. Harper may be young but he’s got real guts going against a zombie horde with little more than a slingshot and intelligence. The role of Gabi is the most mysterious, since we only see her in photos until halfway through the picture, then we reveal her own survival is due to a very dark secret. Even without lengthy speeches or clichés, this is definitely a character driven film.

“Rammbock” works because of its simplicity. Shot almost entirely in one city block, the atmosphere resembles “28 Days Later” and “Rear Window”. Despite the R rating, the language is minimal and the violence constrained, but with so many supporting characters willing to die for the sake of their infected lovers it really gets to you. The finale is bittersweet and even poetic. So don’t let the subtitles hang you up, zombie fans will appreciate a good honest story to enjoy.