“The Girl with All the Gifts” is a British post-apocalyptic horror film released in 2016, directed by Colm McCarthy, and written by Mike Carey. The movie is based on a novel of the same name by Mike Carey. The cast includes Gemma Arterton, Glenn Close, Paddy Considine, Sennia Nanua, and Anamaria Marinca. The movie has a runtime of 111 minutes and is rated R for disturbing violence/gore, language, and some sexuality.
Synopsis:
“The Girl with All the Gifts” is a 2016 British post-apocalyptic horror film directed by Colm McCarthy and starring Sennia Nanua, Gemma Arterton, Paddy Considine, and Glenn Close. The film is based on the novel of the same name by M.R. Carey.
The story is set in a dystopian future where a fungal infection has turned most of humanity into zombie-like creatures known as “hungries”. The film follows a young girl named Melanie (Sennia Nanua), who is one of a group of children being held in a military base for study. Unlike the other infected humans, Melanie retains her mental faculties and is able to communicate with her captors.
When the base is overrun by hungries, Melanie, her teacher Miss Justineau (Gemma Arterton), a soldier named Parks (Paddy Considine), and Dr. Caldwell (Glenn Close), a scientist studying the infection, must band together to survive and find a cure for the disease.
The film has been praised for its unique take on the zombie genre, its strong performances, and its exploration of themes such as humanity, identity, and sacrifice. It has been noted for its tense and atmospheric direction, as well as its use of practical effects to create the unsettling appearance of the infected humans. “The Girl with All the Gifts” has been described as a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant horror film that offers a fresh perspective on a familiar genre.
Review:
“The Girl with All the Gifts” is a gripping and emotionally charged movie that takes a fresh approach to the zombie genre. The performances by the cast, particularly Sennia Nanua and Glenn Close, are excellent, and the story is well-written and thought-provoking. The movie expertly balances the horror elements with a poignant exploration of what it means to be human, and the sacrifices we are willing to make to survive. The film’s visuals are also impressive, with some stunning shots of post-apocalyptic London. Overall, “The Girl with All the Gifts” is a must-watch for fans of the genre.
Awards: The movie has won or been nominated for several awards, including:
- Nominated for Best Horror Film at the Saturn Awards 2017
- Winner of Best Screenplay and Best Special Effects at the British Independent Film Awards 2016
- Winner of Best Makeup and Hair Design at the BAFTA Awards 2017
- Winner of Best Actress for Sennia Nanua at the Fright Meter Awards 2016.
| Directed by | Colm McCarthy |
|---|---|
| Written by | Mike Carey |
| Based on | The Girl with All the Gifts by Mike Carey |
| Produced by | Camille Gatin Angus Lamont |
| Starring | Gemma Arterton, Paddy Considine, Glenn Close, Sennia Nanua, |
| Cinematography | Simon Dennis |
| Edited by | Matthew Cannings |
| Music by | Cristobal Tapia de Veer |
| Production companies |
British Film Institute Creative England Altitude Film Entertainment Poison Chef |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. Pictures |
| Release date | 3 August 2016 (Locarno Film Festival) 23 September 2016 (United Kingdom) 24 February 2017 (United States) |
| Running time | 111 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $4.08 million |