Directed by John Barnard, who co-wrote the script with Carrie-May Siggins, Wintertide is about Beth (Niamh Carolan) whose world is battling a plague brought on by unending days of night and near-constant winter. She's trapped in an isolated northern town close to Manitoba where the few people left are mindless zombies, overcome by depression, but at night when she sleeps, she's able to enter another dimension that she believes can help her save herself.

This is a strange one, as Beth doesn't believe in the vaccine that stops that disease, so immediately you feel your politics - also, I despise that sickness became politicized but it's too late for that one, right? - you're not going to be all in for. Also, she lies to her friends about her goals and while they made end up benefitting others, they're more for her to find closure with her missing father.

Regardless, it's certainly a new and interesting take on the zombie film, even if your pandemic fatigue may linger. I think anyone can understand that. Maybe pretend that it never happened and you'll enjoy this a bit more.

So going into this movie and knowing that it's a Canadian festival film rather than a large budget project you'll probably know or at least have an idea of what to expect. This film is basically an allegory for things like the pandemic, depression, over-medicating and over medicated society, etc.

There isn't much horror but there are some quirky instances of humour that have me a good chuckle and some nice sex scenes with tasteful nudity. The plot, while a bit thin does what it needs to and the story while a tad drawn out is coherent and interesting enough to maintain interest. The acting is actually quite good given the films budget and while a couple scenes felt wooden, it all got the job done.

In terms of film as a whole I'd rate a 4/10 In terms of a festival film, it's a strong 8/10.