Quartile rating: 6/10 · 1 rating
A young woman contracts what she believes to be an STD—but it ends up being a far worse disease.
Contracted is a body-horror indie that uses the STD-as-monster metaphor with some genuine nastiness and a creeping sense of dread. The plot is serviceable but thin, relying heavily on the protagonist making frustratingly bad decisions that stretch credibility. The acting is uneven—Najarra Townsend carries the film with commitment but the supporting cast is weak, particularly the oblivious friends and family who strain believability. Cinematography is functional but unremarkable, with the practical gore effects doing more heavy lifting than any visual artistry. Novelty gets a modest bump for its unflinching, escalating body-horror approach to disease progression, though the core concept of 'STD from hell' isn't wholly original. The ending leans into full zombie-outbreak territory and earns points for going all the way rather than flinching, giving the film a memorable if bleak conclusion.