The Martin Freeman Post-Apocalyptic Hidden Gem You Can Stream On Netflix
The zombie genre is alive and well. The undead monsters have moved beyond serving as symbols for the excesses of capitalism and have simply become terrifying monsters that have a hankering for human flesh. It's a change that hasn't necessarily sat well with George Romero, the late director who basically invented the zombie movie in modern cinema, but there are still zombie flicks being made that have a bit of social commentary to them, remaining true to Romero's original vision. Nowhere is that more apparent than in 2018's "Cargo."
The Netflix Original film sets zombies in the Australian outback, making the film one part "Night of the Living Dead" and one part "Mad Max." "Cargo" follows Andy Rose (Martin Freeman) as he attempts to find a safe haven for himself and his baby daughter Rosie after his wife turned into one of the monsters. With that description, the film is one part "The Road" as well, but there's an interesting wrinkle thrown into the plot that helps separate the movie from others of its ilk.
Anyone who's a fan of zombie movies needs to put "Cargo" in their Netflix queue immediately for a terrifying tale of the lengths humanity will go to in order to survive.
Cargo offers a character-driven zombie story
"Cargo" takes place in a world in which a virus turns people rabid with a desire to consume flesh. Once bitten, a person has 48 hours before losing complete control of their senses. In a last-ditch effort to get his bitten wife to safety, Andy ends up infected as well. It's not so much a spoiler considering the bite happens early on in the film's run, and with no cure available, the movie isn't about Andy's survival but rather that of his daughter. With zombies wanting to bite Rosie and other humans more than happy to take out a soon-to-be-turned Andy, he doesn't have a lot of time to ensure his daughter can live.
"Cargo" differentiates itself by not focusing on massive hordes of zombies and excessive gore. Those aspects are there in limited quantities, but the true focus remains on the impending sense of doom as Andy doesn't have long to ensure his daughter has a future. In the process, he realizes there are others who require his assistance, too.
With an 88% rating on the Tomatometer, "Cargo" received rave reviews from critics, who loved the fresh approach the movie took to tell a compelling story about survival and the lengths parents will go for their children. Here are just some of the words of praise that came from IndieWire's Jamie Righetti: "From Romero's original zombie series to the films it inspired, this type of horror succeeds when it laces its scares with biting social commentary, and 'Cargo' utilizes this formula to great success."
It's one of the creepiest movies you'll find on Netflix, but don't let that deter you: What "Cargo" has to say about the future of mankind is just as scary as the zombies themselves.