Review of The Girl with All the Gifts (2016) by Warwick B — 13 Nov 2016

Director Colm McCarthy big screen debut is based on the terrific but terrifying bestselling novel by M.R. Carey of the same name about a post apocalyptic Britain where most of the population has been wiped out by a fungal infection that turns its victims into flesh eating "hungries".

On a heavily guarded military base a small group of children, infected yet partly resistant to the zombifying plague, are human experiments that may hold the key to finding a cure for the disease. When the base is overrun by the walking dead one highly gifted child Melanie (Sennia Nanua) and her kind hearted teacher Miss Justineau (Gemma Arterton), along with callous scientist Dr Caldwell (Glenn Close). and brutal army guard Sergeant Eddie Parks (Paddy Considiene), escape and go on the run. A perilous journey of survival, during which Melanie must come to terms with who she is.

Newcomer Nanua is absolutely superb putting in a striking and hard hitting performance to more than hold her own amid the seasoned cast. Close is nuttily intense and passionately devoid in a committed performance. The melancholic Arterton is believable and real and Considiene is convincing as the no nonsense soldier in a losing battle.

This is one smart, post apocalyptic zombie flick. A stellar adaptation that balances gore with black humour and ethical drama. The best attack of the undead since 28 Days Later that injects new life into the genre. A real gift.