There are some startling and eerie moments in this YA-style horror thriller, adapted by Mike Carey from his 2014 bestseller – but some uncomfortable zombie cliches and uneven performances.
In a post-apocalyptic Britain, an army camp is encircled by “hungries”, who have to be kept at bay with automatic fire or flame-throwers. Meanwhile, within the compound, a group of special children – junior hungries with distinct mental abilities and zombie-ism under control – are being taught by liaison officer Helen Justineau (Gemma Arterton) in a special class, where they are held in restraints. They are studied by sinister scientist Dr Caroline Caldwell (Glenn Close) and supervised with military discipline by Sergeant Eddie Parks (Paddy Considine). But against all instructions, Helen is beginning to have indulgent feelings for her children, especially Melanie, played by newcomer Sennia Nanua.
We get some nicely creepy scenes from Close and some impressive digitally confected panoramas of a wrecked London. But as ever with zombie films, the infected ones – both extras and speaking roles – are required to do a lot of silly, unscary am-dram gurning. The way children are represented is uncertain, particularly an Artful Dodger-type crew of hungries who have to be fended off. There are substantial talents involved in this film, but it doesn’t come together.
