Pontypool

Released May 29, 2009

1 hr. 36 min.

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

List

84%

86 Reviews

Tomatometer

68%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

When disc jockey Grant Mazzy (Stephen McHattie) reports to his basement radio station in the Canadian town of Pontypool, he thinks it's just another day at work. But when he hears reports of a virus that turns people into zombies, Mazzy barricades himself in the radio booth and tries to figure out a way to warn his listeners about the virus and its unlikely mode of transmission: the English language.

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Critics Consensus

Witty and restrained but still taut and funny, this Pontypool is a different breed of low-budget zombie film.

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Nina E

It is a Canadian zombie movie and requires a high iq to understand.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/24/24

Full Review

Jonas K

This is a though one to review. Not your typical zombie movie, but thats not a bad thing. In fact, thats what makes this movie so good, and it becomes its own downfall later in the movie too, unfortunatly.. First part of the movie is the best. It has some really tense and downright chilling moments. You know as much as the main characters do (not much!) which makes it all the more tense. Middle of the movie is where it starts to lose its steam unfortunatly, and no it doesnt redeem itself at the end. Actually it only gets worse, which is sad because this is a really cool movie but it feels like they had no idea how to keep a good pace or end it properly. It just leaves a bad taste in your mouth. You expect so much more based on the great 1/3 of the movie. Dont know if i can recommend this one.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/15/23

Full Review

Orlando C

Cool college thesis. Glad he was able to get it on film. And of course it's Canadian. Even the zombies are polite. But as a feature film, this ain't. I'm sure it looked great on paper. It was mildly entertaining and as indulgent as a bunch of film students waxing poetically in a dorm room. Do yourself a favor and skip this experimental cinema.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

11/26/23

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Farah R

Although many can appreciate its original take on the all-too-familiar zombie movie, Pontypool is too slow where it should be suspenseful and clean where it should be gory.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

11/22/23

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Johnny D

Awesome movie! I had no idea this was a zombie flick, although I suppose they're not really zombies in the traditional sense. The premise is ridiculous of course---as with all zombie flicks---but that doesn't detract from the entertainment. Surprisingly, I found myself empathizing with almost every single character. They're just all thoroughly likable! The whole cast is stellar, and Stephen McHattie's voice is just mesmerizing. And the ending turns out to be super satisfying, despite the ridiculous premise.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/13/23

Full Review

S P

The ideal way to watch this movie is with no clue about its contents, and try to unfurl the fog of what is happening alongside the main characters. A splendid experience. The base line of the movie is great and very original. People say this is a zombie film but not at all, it's more complex than that. Great acting and atmosphere. The oppressive tension created by imagining what is happening while being trapped in the studio is well crafted. A great 'huis-clos' film. The ending is a bit more anticlimactic and wobbly but it doesn't matter as much.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/29/23

Full Review

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Bruce McDonald

Director

Stephen McHattie

Grant Mazzy

Lisa Houle

Sydney Briar

Georgina Reilly

Laurel Ann

Hrant Alianak

Dr. Mendez

Rick Roberts

Ken Loney

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José Teodoro

Film Comment Magazine

It's when our grasping for digestible concepts, clear causality, or anything resembling resolution is as thwarted as the characters' struggle to articulate or take action, that we're in the best position to absorb Pontypool's full impact.

Mar 27, 2018

Full Review

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.

Dec 17, 2009

Full Review

Derek Malcolm

London Evening Standard

An original take on genre movies of its kind.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 20, 2009

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

A claustrophobic blend of high-concept scares and zombie terror.

Rated: 3.5/4

Sep 5, 2023

Full Review

Emma Wolfe

SpookyAstronauts

it has so many cool vibes to it... it's actually really clever.

Rated: 8/10

May 11, 2021

Full Review

Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

An original story. Strong performances, particularly from Stephen McHattie. A film that prays on innermost fears of society and individuals. Frightening. Terrifying. Thought provoking.

Nov 13, 2019

Full Review

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Synopsis

When disc jockey Grant Mazzy (Stephen McHattie) reports to his basement radio station in the Canadian town of Pontypool, he thinks it's just another day at work. But when he hears reports of a virus that turns people into zombies, Mazzy barricades himself in the radio booth and tries to figure out a way to warn his listeners about the virus and its unlikely mode of transmission: the English language.

Director: Bruce McDonald
Executive Producer: Henry Cole, J. Miles Dale, Jasper Graham
Screenwriter: Tony Burgess
Distributor: IFC Films
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 29, 2009, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 1, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.5K

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