Back in 2016, a little movie called Spring Break Zombie Massacre made a big impression; dreamed up by Sam Suchmann and Mattie Zufelt, two best friends with Down syndrome, their horror comedy went from dream to reality with the help of Sam’s older brother Jesse and a successful Kickstarter. To tell the story of how it all came together, there’s now Sam & Mattie Make a Zombie Movie, a behind-the-scenes documentary helmed by Robert Carnevale and Jesse Suchmann.
The Gist: Five years ago, Sam Suchmann and Mattie Zufelt caused quite a commotion with their film Spring Break Zombie Massacre. The best friends dreamed up a big, ridiculous movie, and the result was something bound to be labeled a cult classic eventually. The duo even appeared on Conan (and sweet-talked their way into a chocolate fountain courtesy of the ginger talk show host himself). So how did they get there? That’s exactly what Sam & Mattie Make a Zombie Movie chronicles. After raising close to $70,000 on Kickstarter to make their movie, Sam’s older brother Jesse (also a director of this doc), his group of filmmaking friends, and a large crew come together to make Sam and Mattie’s wildest, bloodiest dreams come true.
While much of the process seems like a blast, the doc doesn’t shy away from showing some of the more difficult moments on set and beyond; the shoot took place during a boiling Rhode Island August, the budget kept them from going as crazy as they’d like, and, well, we all know filmmaking is not as glamorous as it seems on the surface. Despite a few road bumps, however, the team – along with executive producer Peter Farrelly (Green Book, Dumb and Dumber, There’s Something About Mary) and DJ Pauly D – ends up creating something truly memorable.
What Movies Will It Remind You Of?: There have been many a making-of documentary, but none that come close to capturing what Sam & Mattie does. I don’t remember the last time I saw this kind of no-frills filmmaking that effortlessly combines personal lives with professional endeavors and everything in between.
Performance Worth Watching: I mean, this is Sam and Mattie’s show, and they are very much the reason to watch both this doc and Spring Break Zombie Massacre. The best friends have such a unique chemistry and delightful screen presence, and watching them as their character alter-egos and their real life-selves is equally as fun. Don’t sleep on this duo.
Memorable Dialogue: Sam, Mattie, and the rest of the crew offer so many gems, but I chuckled when Mattie says the critics can come to his house and “French kiss my ass.”
Sex and Skin: As Sam’s brother Jesse puts it, “PG-13. No sex.”
Our Take: I didn’t quite know what to expect when I went into Sam & Mattie Make a Zombie Movie, but it only took about a minute of the film for me to start smiling. There’s something so special about a couple of kids with a dream, and what it looks like when people rally behind them to help make it come true – even if it means that dream involves over 70 gallons of fake blood. Combining home videos from Sam and Mattie’s early on-camera days with interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, Sam & Mattie Make a Zombie movie is a unique look at a very unique duo. Sam and Mattie are genuinely funny dudes, cracking jokes and busting moves everywhere they go; they have that kind of natural magnetism required of on-camera personalities.
Sam & Mattie Make a Zombie Movie isn’t just a character study of the titular duo, either; it’s actually a pretty fascinating look at the filmmaking process, even if there are unconventional moments here and there. If you’re worried about having seen Spring Break Zombie Massacre prior to seeing the documentary, allow me to offer some comfort: the entirety of the film is included in the latter half of the doc. While I initially questioned this choice – the documentary does feel a little overlong, and a few scenes could be trimmed a tad – it’s so much fun to see the way it all came together after their hard work. I got a bit teary eyed when I saw the full house at the world premiere in Providence, even if the film didn’t make it into any of the big festivals. For me, seeing that Sam and Mattie are still living pretty normal lives – and that for Sam, making the movie was a way to get closer to his brother Jesse – made the whole thing even more magical.
We have such a long way to go when it comes to on-screen neurodiverse representation, and Sam & Mattie Make a Zombie Movie feels like a really wonderful step in the right direction. The film is made with compassion, yes, but it’s also refreshingly real, revealing day-to-day interactions, emotional moments (I was so moved when Sam just wanted to let his feelings “pour out” at the end of the doc), and everything else in between. As Sam so sagely says, this whole thing is really about the journey – not the destination. ““t’s not about how fast you get there – it’s about what’s waiting for you on the other side.” I look forward to seeing what’s waiting on the other side for Sam, Mattie, and the rest of the team.
Our Call: STREAM IT. Sam & Mattie Make a Zombie Movie is a special documentary with a homemade feel, chronicling an unconventional, genuinely funny, and wholly heartwarming journey to making a totally outrageous movie.
Jade Budowski is a freelance writer with a knack for ruining punchlines, hogging the mic at karaoke, and thirst-tweeting. Follow her on Twitter: @jadebudowski.
Where to Stream Sam & Mattie Make a Zombie Movie
This post first appeared on Nypost.com
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