Guy Maddin's ‘Rumours' is a Zombie Apocalypse Comedy You Didn't Know You Needed
In Rumours, Guy Maddin, the avant-garde filmmaker known for his unique voice, delivers one of his quirkiest projects yet. After screening at Cannes earlier this year, the film quickly earned a reputation as Maddin's most mainstream work to date. It combines political satire with slapstick absurdity, set against the backdrop of a world in crisis—quite literally, as G7 leaders stumble into a zombie apocalypse. The film is slated for release on October 18th, courtesy of Bleecker Street, and already holds a 70 on Metacritic and an 83% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Rumours Poster
While Maddin is no stranger to the surreal, Rumours stands out as a departure from his usual fare. The premise is both zany and brilliant: global leaders from Canada, the U.S., Germany, Japan, and other powerhouses are stranded in the woods during a G7 summit, cut off from communication, only to realize they're in the midst of a zombie outbreak. What ensues is a biting, hilarious commentary on leadership and the absurdities of bureaucracy, with each leader more focused on drafting a meaningless joint statement than surviving the apocalypse.
Roy Dupuis leads the cast as Maxime, Canada's Prime Minister, dealing with his complicated past fling with the UK's Prime Minister, played by Nikki Amuka-Bird. Cate Blanchett shines as the German Chancellor, delivering a performance that's as sharp as it is comedic, channeling the steely persona of real-life figures like Angela Merkel. Meanwhile, Charles Dance takes on the role of the U.S. President, who spends much of the film asleep—a clear nod to current political commentary. The ensemble cast, including Denis Ménochet as the French President and Rolando Ravello as Italy's confused PM, bring to life these exaggerated yet familiar versions of political figures.
Visually, the film is a treat. Cinematographer Stefan Ciupek creates a lush, foggy landscape that evokes a midnight movie feel, using eerie purples and greens to heighten the dreamlike atmosphere. It's clear Maddin wanted Rumours to be a fun, cinematic escape, and his frequent collaborator, Evan Johnson, co-writes a script full of sharp political jabs, all wrapped in layers of absurdity. The leaders' incompetence is laid bare as they face not only zombies but also their own moral ineptitudes. The humor is dry and deadpan, elevated by Kristian Eidnes Andersen's soap-opera-like score, which further accentuates the film's offbeat tone.
Despite its fantastical elements, Rumours does have moments where the stakes feel low, with even the lurking zombies often more of a humorous device than a real threat. But that's part of the charm—the film never takes itself too seriously. It's easy to get swept up in its irreverent take on world leaders, especially when the Italian PM is passing around stolen salami from a buffet, oblivious to the chaos around him.
Ultimately, Rumours might not be Maddin's masterpiece—that title still belongs to My Winnipeg—but it's a film worth seeing for its biting humor and fresh take on the genre. Whether you're a fan of political satire, horror-comedies, or just curious to see what happens when world leaders meet zombies, this film is a breezy, entertaining watch that pokes fun at the people who are supposed to run the world.
