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

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Cargo Martin Freeman

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

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New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

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Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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