If there’s one thing the zombie genre refuses to do, it’s stay dead. Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End arrives on Prime Video, carrying the weight of its literary origins and the expectations of a genre that’s evolved past its shuffling corpses.
But does it stand out in the crowded apocalypse, or is it another reanimated corpse of better films before it?
The Setup: A Pandemic-Fueled Nightmare
Based on Apocalipsis Z, Manel Loureiro’s Spanish novel-turned-blog-sensation, the film follows Manel (Francisco Ortiz), a lawyer who—like many protagonists before him—finds his world torn apart by a mysterious viral outbreak. His only companion?
A cat named Lúculo, which, let’s be honest, already makes this a different kind of survival tale.
As the outbreak escalates, the Spanish government scrambles to maintain control, enforcing evacuations and roadblocks straight out of 28 Days Later.
Manel, still reeling from personal loss, chooses isolation over escape.
His home in Galicia becomes a fortress, but survival isn’t just about avoiding the undead—it’s about enduring the slow collapse of everything familiar.
What Works: Grounded Horror and Real-World Parallels
Director Carles Torrens leans into the pandemic-era anxieties that feel all too real.
From supermarket shortages to an ineffective government response, Apocalypse Z mirrors the chaos of early COVID-19 with eerie precision.
Unlike the bullet-riddled spectacle of World War Z, this film savours the slow dread of the world coming apart, focusing on Manel’s quiet struggle before the inevitable collapse.
One of the film’s strongest moments comes early on—Manel rigging a makeshift security system with scraps, scrolling through survival YouTube videos, and figuring out how to reinforce his home.
It’s a rare moment where a zombie movie prioritises intelligence over action, making Manel’s predicament feel tangible rather than scripted.
Where It Falters: Familiar Territory and Budget Constraints
For all its strengths, Apocalypse Z isn’t reinventing the undead wheel. The second half of the film shifts gears into a more conventional survival thriller, echoing everything from The Walking Dead to Train to Busan.
Once Manel ventures beyond his isolated home, the film loses some of its unique appeal.
The budget also makes itself known in frustrating ways. Wide shots of deserted cityscapes lack the scale seen in Hollywood productions, and the zombie hordes feel noticeably limited compared to the genre’s heavyweights.
A bigger budget could have amplified the sense of an overwhelming apocalypse rather than making it feel like a sparsely populated outbreak.
FAQ Section: Apocalypse Z—What You Need to Know
Is Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End worth watching?
If you enjoy character-driven zombie survival films, Apocalypse Z offers a grounded, slow-burn take on the genre.
While it doesn’t reinvent the undead formula, its strong lead performance and realistic pandemic parallels make it a compelling watch.
How does Apocalypse Z compare to other zombie movies?
Apocalypse Z takes a more intimate, low-stakes approach than big-budget films like World War Z.
It leans into psychological horror and survival rather than all-out action, making it more comparable to 28 Days Later or The Walking Dead.
Will there be a sequel to Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End?
As of now, Prime Video has announced a sequel is in development, but no release date has been confirmed.
Given the film’s open-ended conclusion, it’s likely to continue Manel’s survival journey.
The Verdict: Worth Watching, With Caveats
Despite its limitations, Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End is a compelling addition to the genre, particularly for those who appreciate character-driven horror over sheer spectacle.
Ortiz delivers a performance that keeps the film grounded, even when the script takes predictable turns.
If you’ve had your fill of high-speed zombies and government conspiracies, Apocalypse Z might feel like familiar ground.
But if you’re looking for a solid, well-acted survival story that captures the slow-burn horror of watching civilisation unravel, this one’s worth a watch—just don’t expect it to revolutionise the genre.
And yes, the cat makes it.
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