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A notable addition to the franchise and a strong start to a new trilogy, the film tells an emotional story of a young boy’s journey to maturity in a dangerous world filled with humanoid monsters and difficult choices that he must make for himself and his family. The film smoothly balances stark realism with elements of fantasy, creating a distinctive cinematic experience full of horror, action, and a compelling narrative.
Courtesy of Sony Pictures
At first glance, you might assume the action hero Aaron Taylor-Johnson, playing Jamie, is the main protagonist—a tough father who takes his son off their island home on the British coast to the mainland to teach him survival and combat skills. However, the true protagonist is his son, Spike, who must contend with his father’s temper and his mother’s mysterious illness, which causes memory loss and erratic behavior. When Spike learns of a doctor who might cure his mother, he secretly takes her on a perilous journey, defying his father’s instructions. Young actor Alfie Simmons delivers an outstanding performance in this role.
Courtesy of Sony Pictures
The other key character is Ayla, portrayed by the talented Jodie Comer. While this is fundamentally a horror film, at its core, it is also about family and the mother-child dynamic, highlighting Spike’s maturation in a brutal world. This relationship drives the film’s emotional resonance and delivers its most moving scenes. Jodie Comer brilliantly balances the rational aspects of her character with the unpredictable and sometimes vicious manifestations of her illness, ultimately portraying a deeply emotional and nurturing mother who provides Spike with the experiences he needs to grow.
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The doctor, Kilson, played by Oscar-winning Ralph Fiennes, is the most unusual character in the film. Obsessed with death, Kilson adheres to a peculiar philosophy when dealing with humans infected by the “Rage Virus,” who behave like zombie-like creatures. He is certain to be a key figure in the trilogy that the film aims to launch. The infected humans themselves are also intriguing; they have developed a rudimentary social system and retain near-human intelligence. The film introduces a new type of infected called the “Alpha,” who leads certain infected communities.
Courtesy of Sony Pictures
The film’s strength lies in director Danny Boyle’s unique style, with cinematography that conveys deep meaning and illustrates character growth alongside dramatic plot developments. One potential drawback is that the ending directly leads into the next installment, meaning audiences will have to wait six months for the sequel to see what happens next. There is also a minor weakness in the visual effects. For these reasons, my rating for the film is:
7/10
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