This “Fierce and Speedy” Zombie Thriller Tops the Prime Video Chart

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Nov 22, 2024
Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End

Have you checked out MadS yet? David Moreau’s French zombie masterpiece (really) is the shot of adrenaline the horror subgenre has needed for years in a post (kind of) The Walking Dead world. I know we all remember the 2010s. Zombies, or the undead, or the living dead, or some infected variant therein were everywhere. Every horror movie seemed to be another zombie movie. They were on small screens, too, and even infected young adult love stories. Recent years have seen fewer. The aforementioned MadS? Incredible. And Shudder’s Virus-32 was an unsung gem I absolutely loved. Maybe things are looking up for the undead, because Prime Video has an incredible winner on its hands with Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End, a streaming sensation that’s more popular than anyone could have anticipated.

Per Prime Video: A rabies-like disease spreads across the planet, transforming people into aggressive creatures. Manel takes refuge at home with his cat, using his wits to survive. Soon, they’ll have to leave for food, looking for safe places on land and sea. Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End is a story of survival, both physical and emotional, with action, tension, a rabid infection… and a grumpy cat.

Apocalypse Z has it all. A strange new virus, border closures, ominous news reports encouraging self-quarantine. While it adheres pretty heavily to the tropes, recalling the likes of World War Z and even this year’s post-apocalyptic A Quiet Place: Day One, with the added urgency of some contemporary relevancy. Zombie movies, or even just virus movies in general, hit harder post-2020, don’t they?

The film has sufficient jumps, dollops of gore, and successfully adapts part of Manel Loureiro series of novels. While I’m not familiar with the source material, I hear they’re really popular and now plan to check them out myself. Strong critical reviews likely helped bolster Apocalypse Z’s performance, though no one could have anticipated the film’s staggering success. The movie has charted worldwide, even reaching number one in the United States where it has remained a staple in Prime Video’s Top 10.

Fans online have been thrilled with the film. They’ve called it fierce, enjoyable, and even spotlighted the cat. Cats in horror is always a win. Check out some choice social media reactions below:

What do you think? What are your favorite undead movies? Any plans to check out Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End? Let me know what you think over on Twitter @Chadiscollins.

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