News

Review: ‘Cargo’ Uses Zombies to Carry Emotional Weight (and it Works)

Published

6 years ago

May 18, 2018

In a world ravaged by the overabundance of zombie media, Cargo is a refreshing take on the shambling sub-genre. The sun-scorched setting with a focus on family ties and traumas have created a film that is equal parts visceral horror and emotional drama.

Stranded in rural Australia in the aftermath of a violent pandemic, an infected father desperately seeks a new home for his infant child, and a means to protect her from his own changing nature.

Cargo was originally a 7-minute short of the same name in 2013 that deeply resonated with audiences. The simple concept of a living, human baby strapped to the back of her recently turned zombie father was purely original and delivered the idea of a parent’s undying love with beautifully poignant imagery.

via Netflix

The short film’s directors, Ben Howling and Yolanda Ramke, have returned for the feature-length version with a script penned by Ramke. In their decision to make a feature, the casting of Martin Freeman (Sherlock, Ghost Stories) as the paternal figure, Andy, was frankly a stroke of genius.

Freeman is the perfect “everyman” who can communicate an intense range of (seemingly) authentic emotion with just a subtle glance. He holds the aura of someone who is at once anxious and flawed, yet thoroughly capable. Clever and observant, but extremely charming.

As an audience, you want nothing but good things for him at all times, while knowing that this is certainly impossible.

via Netflix

Cargo wisely blurs the timeline of the outbreak. It’s clear that the action takes place well beyond the early stages of contagion; there are procedures in place. It’s shown as a very real disease, complete with a variety of symptoms and a strictly defined incubation period.

Survivors are relatively equipped to handle their own containment, which means that rational decisions are made with an understanding of the consequences.

That being said, the stakes are unquestionably high for Andy, his wife Kay (Susie Porter, Hounds of Love), and their baby daughter Rosie. The focus of the film, through and through, is family and sacrifice.

via Netflix

There’s a great deal of importance on the visual storytelling here, too. They use a subdued, natural color palette which makes the film feel very real and tactile. The blood of the undead comes in thick, oily globs.

It creates a sense of prolonged exposure to the threat of the zombies by dialling back that typically bright and vibrantly satisfying splatter. The violence isn’t flashy, it’s fact.

The noxious zombie design has an almost alien effect. Once the survivors turn, it’s an instant switch from the person you once knew. Parents and spouses become unrecognizable – there’s a finality to it that is deeply upsetting.

via Netflix

To truly distinguish the original 7-minute short from the 100-minute feature, Howling and Ramke fleshed out the story and broadened the scope of the film. As Australian filmmakers, it was important to them that they incorporate Indigenous voices to the plot to reflect their collective national history.

Representation of the Indigenous community is not often seen in mainstream media, so this decision to prominently feature Indigenous elements is an important one. In the process, Cargo also provides a sharp critique of Australian racial history.

via Netflix

In Cargo, zombies are certainly the catalyst, but they are not the primary focus. Ramke deftly uses horror as a tool to tell a more complex story. She folds zombies into the crossing narratives without compromising the themes of loss and cultural traditions. The direction weaves moments of horrific tension with exposition.

Overall, it’s a clever and truly well made film. Additionally, it’s a great example of the unique ways that sometimes everyone in Australia is trying to kill you, which, to be fair, is very on-brand.

Cargo lands on Netflix on May 18th.

via Netflix

'Civil War' Review: Is It Worth Watching?

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Movies

Trailer for ‘The Exorcism’ Has Russell Crowe Possessed

Published

1 hour ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

The latest exorcism movie is about to drop this summer. It’s aptly titled The Exorcism and it stars Academy Award winner turned B-movie savant Russell Crowe. The trailer dropped today and by the looks of it, we are getting a possession movie that takes place on a movie set.

Just like this year’s recent demon-in-media-space film Late Night With the Devil, The Exorcism happens during a production. Although the former takes place on a live network talk show, the latter is on an active sound stage. Hopefully, it won’t be entirely serious and we’ll get some meta chuckles out of it.

The film will open in theaters on June 7, but since Shudder also acquired it, it probably won’t be long after that until it finds a home on the streaming service.

Crowe plays, “Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins), wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play. The film also stars Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, Adam Goldberg and David Hyde Pierce.”

Crowe did see some success in last year’s The Pope’s Exorcist mostly because his character was so over-the-top and infused with such comical hubris it bordered on parody. We will see if that is the route actor-turned-director Joshua John Miller takes with The Exorcism.

'Civil War' Review: Is It Worth Watching?

News

Win a Stay at The Lizzie Borden House From Spirit Halloween

Published

3 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Spirit Halloween has declared that this week marks the start of spooky season and to celebrate they are offering fans a chance to stay at the Lizzie Borden House with so many perks Lizzie herself would approve.

The Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, MA is claimed to be one of the most haunted houses in America. Of course one lucky winner and up to 12 of their friends will find out if the rumors are true if they win the grand prize: A private stay in the notorious house.

“We are delighted to work with Spirit Halloween to roll out the red carpet and offer the public a chance to win a one-of-a-kind experience at the infamous Lizzie Borden House, which also includes additional haunted experiences and merchandise,” said Lance Zaal, President & Founder of US Ghost Adventures.

Fans can enter to win by following Spirit Halloween‘s Instagram and leaving a comment on the contest post from now through April 28.

The prize also includes:

An exclusive guided house tour, including insider insight around the murder, the trial, and commonly reported hauntings

A late-night ghost tour, complete with professional ghost-hunting gear

A private breakfast in the Borden family dining room

A ghost hunting starter kit with two pieces of Ghost Daddy Ghost Hunting Gear and a lesson for two at US Ghost Adventures Ghost Hunting Course

The ultimate Lizzie Borden gift package, featuring an official hatchet, the Lizzie Borden board game, Lily the Haunted Doll, and America’s Most Haunted Volume II

Winner’s choice of a Ghost Tour experience in Salem or a True Crime experience in Boston for two

“Our Halfway to Halloween celebration provides fans an exhilarating taste of what’s to come this fall and empowers them to start planning for their favorite season as early as they please,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween. “We have cultivated an incredible following of enthusiasts who embody the Halloween lifestyle, and we’re thrilled to bring the fun back to life.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Spirit Halloween (@spirithalloween)

Spirit Halloween is also preparing for their retail haunted houses. On Thursday, August 1 their flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. will officially open to start off the season. That event usually draws in hordes of people eager to see what new merch, animatronics, and exclusive IP goods will be trending this year.

'Civil War' Review: Is It Worth Watching?

Movies

’28 Years Later’ Trilogy Taking Shape With Serious Star Power

Published

4 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Danny Boyle is revisiting his 28 Days Later universe with three new films. He will direct the first, 28 Years Later, with two more to follow. Deadline is reporting that sources say Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes have been cast for the first entry, a sequel to the original. Details are being kept under wraps so we don’t know how or if the first original sequel 28 Weeks Later fits into the project.

**Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes**

Boyle will direct the first movie but it’s unclear which role he will take on in the subsequent films. What is known is Candyman (2021) director Nia DaCosta is scheduled to direct the second film in this trilogy and that the third will be filmed immediately afterward. Whether DaCosta will direct both is still unclear.

Alex Garland is writing the scripts. Garland is having a successful time at the box office right now. He wrote and directed the current action/thriller Civil War which was just knocked out of the theatrical top spot by Radio Silence’s Abigail.

There is no word yet on when, or where, 28 Years Later will start production.