Written and directed by David Moreau, MadS is a one-take film of a wild night, displayed in real time. We follow Romain (Milton Riche), who is celebrating his birthday and is just trying to get high and have fun. We open the movie with him scoring some drugs and answering a call from his girlfriend, Anais (Laurie Pavy). He informs her that he is headed home to get the party started. As Romain hits the road in his father’s pristine vintage convertible Mustang, we watch Romain drive through a giant 3D title card before a stranger covered in bandages throws a wrench into his party plans. Of course, he doesn’t want to call the police because of all the drugs he just got from his dealer. This is when things go left very quickly, and the speed and intensity doesn’t let up until the credits roll.
Avoid Spoilers For This One
It’s hard to talk about MadS without spoiling too much. However, I think the best way to experience this film is with as little knowledge as possible. With a 90-minute run of diesel-level nightmare fuel, Moreau takes us through one night of pure chaos. The trajectory of Romain and his friends’ night is completely changed by this bandaged stranger, who carries a secret in her veins. Moreau presents the story to us almost like found footage, with the camera feeling like we are looking over the characters’ shoulders with close shots that don’t really let up until necessary. Other filmmakers in recent years have attempted to make a film in one take, but MadS takes it to another level where it feels like madness. Although, it still gives viewers enough of the story to immerse us in what we are watching play out, seemingly without any effort.
MadS Is That Girl
While the film is shot well and the plot is engaging, what makes MadS stand out is the performances, especially that of Laurie Pavy. Anna (Isabelle Adjani) in Possession (1981) has come up a lot in 2024 with films like Immaculate and The First Omen. However, seeing Laurie Pavy play out a scene where she starts to “change”, your mind cannot help but go right to Adjani. The structure of the film flows from one person to the next. So, we don’t get to know much about these characters’ lives, but it doesn’t matter.
MadS is confident and knows exactly what it is. It doesn’t take even a moment to let up. It consistently hits us over the head as we follow this group of friends through a night where one simple decision, like going to a friend’s house to score, can change your entire life. Even with all that it accomplishes, Mordeau throws horror fiends a couple bones along the way. I don’t need to tell you everything to entice you to add this MadS to your watchlist this October. Just know that I won’t be pulling my car over on the side of the road anytime soon.
MadS will be available on Shudder on October 18, 2024.
