The Girl With All The Gifts
Director: Colm McCarthy
Talent: Gemma Arterton, Glenn Close, Paddy Considine, Dominique Tipper
Release Date: 23rd September
Another zombie film! But hold the sigh, this (literally and figuratively) novel adaptation is provocative, gripping, clever and riddled with twists and turns. The story follows Melanie (Nanua), a child imprisoned in a military base. Children have partial immunity to the zombie virus overcoming mankind; they can emote and think freely. Dr. Caldwell (Close) has been using them in tests to create a vaccine while Miss Justineau (Arterton) has taught the children and developed an intriguing bond with Melanie.
When the base falls to the “hungries”, Dr. Caldwell, Melanie, Miss Justineau and Sargent Parks (Considine) journey through a satisfyingly destroyed civilisation, trying to reach the head military base. We’re given enough information to feel clever yet enough is held back to keep you keenly wondering. Key debates in psychology are ignited: what is evil? Should humans be sacrificed for the “greater good”? Should we sacrifice children to save adults? Ultimately it is Melanie who decides the fate of the humanity in a chilling ending.
Words: Sarah Taaffe-Maguire
