A good zombie movie is hard to find, so I was pleasantly surprised by this little zombie movie that plays within the conventions of the sub genre in order to break new ground.

We meet our hero Melanie, played perfectly by Sennia Nanua, she is in a detention center where every morning she gets strapped into a wheelchair by guards and brought to a classroom for lessons. She is unfailingly polite and kind to all. She is very intelligent and her teacher Ms. Justineau, played by Gemma Arterton, singles her out for her whip smart manner. Why is this room full of children strapped to wheelchairs? What is this detention center? The movie unfolds it’s answers slowly and cleverly choosing to show us rather than tell us.

Melanie and the other children are the children of zombies or rather pregnant women who became zombies whilst pregnant. Once born these children are something new entirely. Not quite human, but not zombie either. An icy Glenn Close plays the head scientist trying to find a cure and using the children to do so.

Once the detention center is overrun with zombies Melanie, Justineau, and a few others go on the run in search of safety and a better future.

I loved Sennia Nanua. She brought childlike innocence and kindness to the screen. In the scenes where she is discovering the wide world around her she has an authentic amazement that was delightful. Her sense of wonder was infectious. But she plays the darker side of the character so well too. when the hunger takes over she changes completely. It was a showcase of great acting from a very young actor. She really went it in every moment. From her expressiveness to her physicality. She was great.

The script is excellent. It plays within the rules of the zombie genre, the post apocalyptic setting, the flesh eating menace, the ragtag band of survivors, but it gives them new life by eliminating the nihilism and video game violence. I often hate zombie stories because of their nihilistic outlook. If nothing matters then what’s the point of the movie? But this offers some fascinating snares that enrich the story and make hopeful comments on human nature rather than wallowing in our worst impulses. I won’t give away the ending but it really surprised and stunned me.

There is violence. The obligatory zombie headshots are present. However they aren’t photographed for the gore factor. They don’t emphasize the heroic manly man gunning down the nameless hordes. The violence is filmed in a matter of fact way that removes the leering gratuity the genre is known for. By stepping out of the point of view of the awesome hero head shotting zombies and putting the camera a few feet back and filming in a more objective fashion it emphasizes the bluntness and desperation of the acts. It’s a good choice.

I really liked this and I don’t usually like zombies. It’s smarter than the average undead movie. I definitely recommend it.

It’s my cup of tea. A