Directed by: John McPhail
Starring: Ella Hunt, Malcolm Cumming, Sarah Swire, Ella Jarvis,
Paul Kaye
John McPhail’s Anna and the Apocalypse certainly
doesn’t adhere to the traditional norms of film genres. That aside, this
Shaun of the Dead meets
High School Musical melodic comedy/horror is a pleasantly
surprising and inventive feature.
At Christmas time, Anna (Ella Hunt) is half-way through her last
year of school. As the ‘adult world’ looms large, she faces the tough
decision of deciding whether to appease her Dad (Mark Benton) by
going to university, or staying true to her own desires by taking a gap
year. But when a Zombie Apocalypse breaks out in her quiet town of Little
Haven, the problems of teenage angst are put on hold as Anna and her friends
focus on their survival by stabbing, slashing and singing their way to
reuniting with their loved ones.
What first strikes you about this intriguing genre-mash-up is its
production quality. A no-doubt tight-budgeted Scottish horror/comedy/musical
doesn’t necessarily sound like a project that might make it in the grand
scheme of cinema, but to its credit,
Anna and the Apocalypse looks sharp and feels sleek. The set
design is vibrant, the effects are skillfully pulled-off, and the music has
its own original and catchy feel to it.
This odd yet satisfying movie also has a strong cast for the type of film
that it is - especially as a number of the younger actors aren’t the most
experienced in feature films. Hunt is brilliant as Anna: not only does she
have a wonderful voice, but she’s also a commanding and captivating lead
performer. By creating the perfect balance of a tough zombie slaying yet
still emotionally vulnerable teen, Hunt’s Anna becomes an absorbing and
fitting main protagonist of the film (Anna’s teenage inner conflict feels
very relatable - a testament to Hunt’s portrayal of the character). As for
the rest of the gang, the youthful ensemble of Malcolm Cumming as
John (Anna’s best friend), Sarah Swire as Steph, Marli Siu as
Lisa, Christopher Leveaux as Chris, and Ben Wiggins as Nick
also do each of their characters real justice.
Another impressive aspect of Anna and the Apocalypse is its
script and, specifically, the crossover between the coming of age style
storyline and the undead nightmare that befalls Anna and her friends. As we
become involved in their stories, the fondness that has developed for the
characters is tested when, inevitably, the continually rising hordes of
zombies get the better of some of them. This, however, merely exemplifies
how invested we are in the story, which is a tribute to the writing.
While this movie’s script is refreshing and innovative, it does, at the
same time, have its faults. On occasion, sequences feel slightly repetitive
and synonymous with other zombie apocalypse films - i.e. constantly running
into a confined area only to be confronted with more zombies. Not only that,
but some of the dialogue between songs feels unnecessarily cringe-worthy,
taking away from the dramatic and meaningful nature of a number of scenes
(particularly in the latter stages of the film). The slightly muddled tone
of the third act is also an unfortunate slip as the comedy from the first,
and the darker tones from the second, never really merge as well as you’d
hope. In all fairness, however, the positive greater part of this bizarrely
fun feature can’t be forgotten either.
As a novelty unto itself, Anna and the Apocalypse really does
surprise in being a genuinely enjoyable movie. The comedy is good, the
horror is executed well, and the music (along with the superbly
choreographed dance sequences) leaves you wondering where you can get your
hands on a copy of the film’s soundtrack. Despite the blips, this film is an
impressive feature debut for writers Alan McDonald and
Ryan McHendry.
Anna and the Apocalypse is on
Shudder UK now.