Review of Overlord

By Dave B.

Overlord (2018, currently on Amazon Prime) takes place on the eve of D-Day. American paratroopers insert behind enemy lines to take out a radio jamming tower in a small French town. After a disastrous paradrop, the soldiers find a secret Nazi facility that is conducting horrific experiments in an attempt to create undefeatable super-soldiers that will turn the tide of the war. The American troops must find the courage and wherewithal to accomplish their mission while confronting monsters from their nightmares. 

If you’re looking for historical accuracy, look elsewhere, because Overlord basically has none. However, that fact is quickly overwhelmed by the movie’s intense action that starts at the beginning of the film and rarely lets up. Overlord has a bit of an “Inglorious Basterds” vibe, despite quickly transitioning from an action to a horror film. Although it isn’t anywhere near as good as the Tarantino film, Overlord’s apparent glee in taking liberties with WWII history and its high Nazi body count feel clearly inspired by the older film.

Nothing about the performances or the plot are particularly noteworthy, but Overlord is well-directed, is fantastically paced (making it feel like a much shorter movie than it actually is), and it generally kept me on the edge of my seat in anticipation of seeing what would happen next. Overlord has a dark atmosphere, taking place primarily at night and in dark tunnels. Even scenes in daylight are filled with shadowed forests and overcast skies, leading to a pervasive sense of ominous dread throughout the film.

Overall, Overlord is a solid action/horror hybrid. More fun than frightening, it manages to remain intense and engaging for the duration of its 109 minute runtime. I definitely recommend this movie for those interested in some mildly frivolous entertainment. But if you’re the type of person who requires fidelity to historical truth, this movie may annoy the crap out of you and you may want to avoid it. For most viewers, however, Overlord will be a decent way to spend a couple of carefree hours. 

Rating: 7/10