Films like Dawn of the Dead.

Dawn of the Dead (1978) reads as Heavy, kinetic, extreme horror / action, inventive in texture. Nihilistic, mid-stakes, cold. Every film below is ranked by distance across the same twelve hand-scored axes — with what it keeps, and where it walks away. Not a genre dump.

Shogun Assassin (1980) (1980) poster
1. Shogun Assassin1980

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the unmistakable directorial hand — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

The Working Class Goes to Heaven (1971) poster
2. The Working Class Goes to Heaven1971

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the unmistakable directorial hand — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in the Land of Demons (1973) poster
3. Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in the Land of Demons1973

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the unmistakable directorial hand — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart to Hades (1972) poster
4. Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart to Hades1972

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the unmistakable directorial hand — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in Peril (1972) poster
5. Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in Peril1972

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the unmistakable directorial hand — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Dangerous Encounters of the First Kind (1980) poster
6. Dangerous Encounters of the First Kind1980

Keeps the unmistakable directorial hand and the pitch-dark outlook — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Seven Beauties (1975) poster
7. Seven Beauties1975

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the unmistakable directorial hand; trades toward a running vein of humour.

Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart at the River Styx (1972) poster
8. Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart at the River Styx1972

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the unmistakable directorial hand — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Day of the Dead (1985) (1985) poster
9. Day of the Dead1985

Keeps the unmistakable directorial hand and the pitch-dark outlook; trades toward a patient, unhurried pace.

Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance (1972) poster
10. Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance1972

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the unmistakable directorial hand — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Secret Honor (1984) poster
11. Secret Honor1984

Keeps the pitch-dark outlook and the chilly detachment; trades toward a patient, unhurried pace.

Woman of Fire (1971) poster
12. Woman of Fire1971

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the unmistakable directorial hand; trades toward a patient, unhurried pace.

These are Dawn of the Dead’s neighbours — where are yours?

Rate five posters and the same twelve axes read you — then tonight’s pick comes from your own centre of taste.

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