The Lust of the Dead series, a shocking blend of horror, eroticism, and social commentary, has become infamous in the cult movie scene. The second installment, Lust of the Dead 2, continues the controversial journey, offering more of the franchise’s unique mix of sexual horror and apocalyptic narrative. In this guide, we’ll take an in-depth look at the film, unpack its themes, and understand what makes this movie stand out in the world of B-movies and exploitation cinema.
Introduction to Lust of the Dead 2
Lust of the Dead 2 is a 2013 Japanese horror film directed by Naoyuki Tomomatsu. It is a sequel to the 2012 film Lust of the Dead (also known as Reipu zonbi: Lust of the Dead), and it is the second installment in what would eventually become a five-part series. The movie blends elements of exploitation, erotic horror, and social critique. It’s not for the faint-hearted, but for those interested in extreme cinema, Lust of the Dead 2 offers a fascinating, if disturbing, experience.
The Plot: A Deeper Dive
The film continues where the first installment left off. After a viral outbreak turns men into sex-crazed zombies, the women of Tokyo must band together to survive the apocalypse. The male zombies, driven by an insatiable lust, create a dystopian nightmare that goes beyond typical zombie tropes. The second film in the series focuses more on the survivors’ resistance efforts, their growing understanding of the zombie epidemic, and the ever-present threat that these zombies pose.
The story takes viewers deeper into the chaos, exploring new alliances between the survivors, betrayals within their ranks, and the moral ambiguities that arise in such a lawless, violent environment. While the first movie focused heavily on introducing the premise and setting up the world, Lust of the Dead 2 delves more into character development and the broader societal implications of the outbreak.
Themes of Lust of the Dead 2
The Lust of the Dead series, particularly in its second installment, is notorious for its controversial themes. The film doesn’t shy away from exploring difficult and often uncomfortable topics, but beneath the exploitation-style surface, there are some deeper points to consider.
Sexuality and Survival
One of the most prominent themes in Lust of the Dead 2 is the intersection of sexuality and survival. The zombie outbreak in this universe is unique: the infected are driven by a violent, primal sexual urge rather than a hunger for human flesh. This twist forces the characters—and the audience—to confront the use of sexuality as a weapon and as a means of control in apocalyptic scenarios. While this aspect of the film has been criticized for its exploitative nature, it can also be seen as a commentary on gender dynamics and power in society.
Feminism and Resistance
In the midst of the grotesque horror, Lust of the Dead 2 portrays women taking control of their destinies in a world gone mad. The female survivors form tight-knit groups, banding together to resist both the zombies and the corrupt, still-human men who seek to exploit the chaos for their own gain. This gives the film an unexpected feminist angle, with strong female characters taking charge in the face of overwhelming odds.
Social Decay and Moral Ambiguity
As with many post-apocalyptic narratives, Lust of the Dead 2 explores the breakdown of social norms. Law, order, and morality crumble as the survivors are forced to make increasingly difficult decisions. Who can be trusted? How far will someone go to ensure their survival? The film paints a grim picture of human nature, asking the audience to consider how they might act in such a world.
Visual and Cinematic Style
Visually, Lust of the Dead 2 carries the aesthetic of a low-budget, B-movie horror film. The special effects, though not particularly high-quality, contribute to the film’s charm as a piece of exploitation cinema. The gore is exaggerated and often over-the-top, matching the film’s blend of horror and absurdity. However, it’s not just about shock value—Lust of the Dead 2 uses its visual style to enhance the grim, apocalyptic atmosphere and heighten the tension between the characters.
The Use of Color and Light
The movie frequently uses harsh lighting and dark shadows to create a sense of dread and claustrophobia. The world of Lust of the Dead 2 is one where danger lurks around every corner, and the use of dim, low-key lighting emphasizes this. In contrast, scenes of violence are often brightly lit, forcing the viewer to confront the horror head-on without the relief of shadow or obscurity.
Special Effects and Practical Makeup
The practical effects used for the zombies—though clearly on a budget—are effective in conveying the grotesque transformation the infected undergo. Their appearance is both terrifying and unsettling, with twisted, exaggerated features that make them distinct from the traditional zombie archetype. The overuse of blood and gore adds to the shock factor, a hallmark of the exploitation genre.
How Lust of the Dead 2 Fits Into the Horror Genre
Though Lust of the Dead 2 may not appeal to mainstream horror fans, it is an important entry in the subgenre of exploitation and erotic horror. It blends elements of zombie films, post-apocalyptic survival stories, and body horror, creating a unique hybrid that stands out in the world of low-budget horror.
Zombie Horror
At its core, Lust of the Dead 2 is a zombie movie, but with a perverse twist. The zombies here are not interested in eating brains but rather in satisfying an uncontrollable sexual urge. This gives the movie a deeply disturbing edge, transforming the zombies into something more akin to predators than mindless undead. The film explores the classic zombie horror themes of survival, fear of infection, and societal breakdown, but with a distinctly sexualized element that sets it apart from other zombie films.
Exploitation and Eroticism
The erotic elements of the film—though often uncomfortable—are a key aspect of its identity as an exploitation film. Exploitation cinema is known for pushing boundaries and shocking audiences, and Lust of the Dead 2 certainly does that. The movie’s explicit content, combined with its low-budget aesthetic, makes it a prime example of how exploitation films blend sensationalism with social commentary.
Character Analysis: Heroes and Anti-Heroes
The characters in Lust of the Dead 2 are far from traditional heroes. Each one is flawed, driven by their own motives, and often forced to make morally ambiguous decisions. The main protagonists are primarily women who have survived the initial outbreak and must now navigate a world where danger comes from both the zombies and the remaining human population.
Risa: The Reluctant Leader
Risa, one of the central characters, emerges as a reluctant leader of the survivors. Her arc in the film shows her transition from a scared, isolated individual to a determined, resourceful fighter. As a character, she embodies the resilience and strength needed to survive in the film’s brutal world.
Momoko: The Innocent Survivor
Momoko represents a different kind of survivor—one who still clings to hope and some semblance of humanity. Her innocence, however, is both her strength and weakness, as it makes her vulnerable in a world where ruthlessness is often rewarded.
Lust of the Dead 2 in Context: Japanese Horror and Exploitation Cinema
The Lust of the Dead series belongs to a tradition of extreme horror in Japanese cinema, a genre that often pushes boundaries both visually and thematically. Japanese horror is known for its willingness to explore taboos and address difficult social issues, often through shocking or grotesque imagery. Films like Lust of the Dead 2 reflect a cultural willingness to confront these themes in a way that is less common in Western cinema.
Comparisons to Other Japanese Horror Films
Compared to mainstream Japanese horror films like The Ring or Ju-On, Lust of the Dead 2 is far more graphic and explicit, both in terms of violence and sexual content. However, it shares with these films a focus on societal fears and anxieties, particularly concerning the breakdown of social order and the loss of humanity.
Exploitation Cinema’s Global Influence
The Lust of the Dead series also draws on the global tradition of exploitation cinema, particularly films from the 1970s and 1980s that reveled in excess, shock value, and transgressive content. Like films in the grindhouse and exploitation genres, Lust of the Dead 2 seeks to provoke and disturb its audience while also delivering a specific kind of entertainment for those who enjoy extreme cinema.
FAQs
What is Lust of the Dead 2 about?
Lust of the Dead 2 is a Japanese horror film about a group of survivors in Tokyo after a viral outbreak turns men into sex-crazed zombies.
Is Lust of the Dead 2 a standalone film?
While you can watch Lust of the Dead 2 without seeing the first film, it is recommended to watch the series in order to fully understand the plot and character developments.
What are the main themes of Lust of the Dead 2?
The film explores themes such as survival, sexual violence, gender dynamics, and the breakdown of social order in a post-apocalyptic world.
How graphic is Lust of the Dead 2?
The film is extremely graphic, featuring explicit sexual content, violence, and gore. It is intended for mature audiences only.
What makes Lust of the Dead 2 different from other zombie movies?
The key difference is that the zombies in Lust of the Dead 2 are driven by sexual lust rather than a hunger for flesh, giving the film a unique and disturbing twist on traditional zombie horror.
Is Lust of the Dead 2 part of a series?
Yes, it is the second film in the five-part Lust of the Dead series.
Conclusion
Lust of the Dead 2 is a film that defies traditional genre boundaries. It is provocative, disturbing, and not for everyone, but it also offers an interesting exploration of human nature, survival, and societal collapse in the face of an apocalyptic event. Fans of extreme horror and exploitation cinema will find much to dissect in this controversial and daring film.
