Mulberry Street (Fantasia Fest 2007)

Mulberry Street is a really touching horror film. It’s one of the few horror flicks where I found myself genuinely caring for the characters and legitimately crushed when some of them bit it. Director Jim Mickle co-wrote the script with Nick Damici who also stars as Clutch, and the two manage to imbue the work with a romantic depth and gentle sensibility that one doesn't expect to find in a film about infected rats biting the citizens of Manhatten, turning them into blood sucking rat zombies. Mickle also tackles the process of gentrification within, deftly pointing out that reconstructing a neighbourhood has dire consequences for its impoverished residents. The rats come across like wealthy developers poisoning the region's humanity, turning friends against one another, leaving the poor with nothing to do but devour each other. A powerful horror flick with a poignant message, hang a right down Mulberry Street if you get the chance, and stay for a cup of delicately brewed scorching hot rat blood.