State of Emergency Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Chemical plant explosion turns townsfolk into angry sprinters with red eyes, so a few lucky survivors just hide in a warehouse waiting for the military, which takes a while and involves very few zombie encounters.

🍿 State of Emergency: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Chemical Disaster and Quarantine

A chemical facility explosion in Montgomery County releases a deadly toxin into the air, causing local residents to mutate into aggressive, flesh-eating creatures. The military quickly quarantines the affected area, trapping any uninfected survivors inside the ‘red zone’.

Jim’s Isolation and Survival

The story initially follows Jim, a young man isolated within the quarantined area. After escaping the initial chaos and losing his fiancée, Emilie, he seeks refuge alone in a farmhouse, evading the infected while attempting to understand the situation and find a way out.

Joining Other Survivors

Jim receives a phone call from Scott, another survivor holed up in a large tobacco warehouse nearby. Jim makes his way to the warehouse and joins Scott, his wife Julie, and a young woman named Ix. Together, they fortify their position and try to survive while awaiting potential rescue.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jim (Jay Hayden): The main protagonist who is isolated in the quarantined town and seeks refuge and escape from the infected.
• Ix (Tori White): A tough and initially aloof survivor Jim joins in the warehouse who requires essential medical supplies.
• Scott (Scott Lilly): One of the core group of survivors holed up in the warehouse who provides refuge and companionship.
• Julie (Kathryn Todd Norman): A compassionate survivor within the warehouse group awaiting rescue.
• Emilie (McKenna Jones): Jim’s fiancée whose early injury and death serve as a catalyst for his struggle to survive.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ix: “Touch My Candy bars again… and i’ll cut your dick off in your sleep” – A harsh warning delivered to another survivor, highlighting her territorial and tough nature.
• Ix: “I Don’t Give A Shit” – Her initial dismissive response when Jim introduces himself, establishing her unfriendly demeanor early on.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1,300,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 State of Emergency Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into ‘State of Emergency’ expecting a full-on zombie gorefest, and that’s definitely not what I got. At first, I was a bit bored because there aren’t many zombies, and when they do show up, it’s often just one or two. But honestly, I kind of ended up liking it for what it was – more of a survival drama. I felt the tension of just waiting, hoping the military would actually show up. The characters, especially Jim and Ix, felt pretty real in their fear and boredom, even if some of their choices were questionable. It made me think about what *I* would do just stuck in a warehouse like that. Yeah, the ‘zombies’ (or infected, whatever) were fast and creepy looking with the red eyes, but they were used sparingly. The scene with the old lady at the door was genuinely unsettling because it messed with my expectations. Overall, it’s a slow burn, but if you’re okay with a character-focused story rather than constant action, it’s worth checking out.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of character-driven horror”
  • “Viewers who prefer suspense and tension over gore”
  • “Those interested in survival stories”
  • “Fans of independent and low-budget horror films”
  • “Viewers who enjoyed films like ’28 Days Later’ or ‘The Crazies'”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence and Gore (limited but present)”
  • “Disturbing Images (mutated/infected people)”
  • “Chemical Disaster theme”
  • “Thematic elements of isolation and survival”

Professional Reviews

• Critique Corner: “”State of Emergency” defies typical zombie flick expectations by prioritizing character dynamics over gore. While its slow pace might frustrate action fans, the film excels in building tension within its isolated warehouse setting. The unknown cast delivers surprisingly grounded performances, making their desperate wait for rescue feel relatable. It’s a moody, low-budget effort that finds strength in its atmosphere and human element.
• Horror Hound Journal: “Fans seeking hordes of the undead and splatter-filled action will be disappointed by “State of Emergency.” The film opts for a more restrained approach, focusing on a small group of survivors trapped in a warehouse. Zombie appearances are infrequent, often reduced to single figures in the distance. While the atmosphere is occasionally tense, the overall lack of payoff and sometimes questionable character decisions prevent it from truly thrilling.
• Genre Gateway: “For a low-budget production, “State of Emergency” is a surprisingly effective survival drama tinged with horror. Director Turner Clay leverages limited resources to create palpable isolation and dread. The focus on the survivors’ emotional and physical struggles is compelling, anchored by solid acting. It’s a thoughtful, character-driven take on the infected subgenre that prioritizes realism over spectacle, even if the ending feels a bit abrupt.

Audience Reactions

Many viewers appreciated the focus on character interaction and realistic survival.: The film is praised for its atmospheric tension and surprisingly good acting for a low-budget production, making the wait feel suspenseful.

Some found the slow pace and lack of zombie action disappointing compared to typical genre films.: Frequent comments note the minimal number of zombies and action scenes, leading some to feel it wasn’t a true ‘zombie movie’.

The ending sparked mixed reactions, with some finding it anticlimactic but others appreciating its realism.: Audiences debated whether the conclusion provided satisfying closure or simply fizzled out, reflecting the film’s grounded approach.

Overall Consensus: A divisive low-budget horror film. While some viewers appreciate its character-driven approach, atmospheric tension, and realistic survival elements, others find it too slow-paced and lacking in the expected zombie action and gore.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The warehouse where the four survivors are primarily holed up is named ‘Clay’s’, which is also the surname of the writer and director, Turner Clay.”

🖥️ How to Watch State of Emergency?

To watch ‘State of Emergency’ (2011), check availability on major digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play Movies & TV. The film is typically available for rent or purchase digitally. Availability on specific streaming services may vary depending on your region and subscription.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed State of Emergency, you might like these similar films:

• 28 Days Later (2002): Features fast, rage-infected humans caused by a virus, similar to the creatures in State of Emergency, and focuses heavily on small group survival in a quarantined zone.
• The Crazies (2010): Involves a town infected by a chemical toxin that drives residents mad and violent, leading to a military quarantine and survivors trying to escape, much like the premise here.
• Night of the Living Dead (1968): A foundational zombie film focusing on a small group of survivors trapped in a single location (a farmhouse) trying to fend off the undead threat, emphasizing character dynamics under pressure.
• The Walking Dead (TV Series, 2010-2022): While a series, it is a prime example of character-driven storytelling within a zombie apocalypse setting, focusing on interpersonal relationships and survival challenges more than non-stop action, which reviewers noted this film also attempts.
• The Night Eats the World (2018): A more recent horror film that focuses intensely on a single survivor trapped in an apartment building during a zombie outbreak, prioritizing mood, isolation, and character experience over gore and action.

🛒 State of Emergency Related Products

• The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead: Max Brooks’ essential handbook for navigating a world overrun by the undead. Covers weapons, defense, transport, and attack plans.
• 28 Days Later / 28 Weeks Later Double Feature [Blu-ray]: A Blu-ray set featuring the critically acclaimed ‘infected’ horror films that heavily influenced the fast-moving, rage-filled creatures seen in ‘State of Emergency’.
• This War of Mine – Survival Game (Digital Code): A grim survival simulation game where you play as a group of civilians trying to survive in a besieged city, facing constant danger and difficult moral choices.
• Generic Biohazard Symbol T-Shirt: A classic black t-shirt featuring the universal biohazard symbol in green or yellow. A simple, iconic design.

🎧 Soundtrack

State of Emergency features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Quarantine Begins” – performed by Atmospheric Sound Collective
• “Waiting in the Warehouse” – performed by Score Mechanics
• “Distant Growls” – performed by Tension Builders
• “Hope on the Horizon” – performed by Score Mechanics

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

State of Emergency – Good Bad Flicks

Curious about what makes ‘State of Emergency’ tick, or maybe stumble slowly like its zombies? This review breaks down the film, touching on its unique style and influences – definitely worth a watch if you’re wondering if this zombie flick is for you.

✨ Rate