In the meantime, Kady falls for a local girl named Courtney and finds that she too wants to escape the town. He also discovers that a young girl whose father was recently killed in strange circumstances is being held at the local doctor’s facility/house, presumably being “treated”… with shock treatments. Apparently, shock treatments and lobotomies are the way to “cure” those who want to leave. He determines to trick the townspeople into believing he wants to stay and to make a break for it. Does he make it? Get the movie and see for yourself.
Population 436 was surprisingly good. In fact, it was very good. I thought it might end up being cheesy horror, but what I got instead was basically a feature length X Files episode, which is just fine by me. As it turns out, the film is directed by Michelle Maxwell McLaren, a co-producer from the X Files and Night Stalker. Fred Durst does a hell of a job as Deputy Bobby Caine. The boy can act! Jeremy Sisto is very convincing as befuddled and desperate Steve Kady. This thriller is a really entertaining film, one that I will definitely watch again. The DVD contains an alternate ending, but I preferred the original one as it perfectly wrapped things up. If you are a fan of the X Files or movies along those lines, you’ll dig Population 436.
