Maggie

Maggie, a 2015 film directed by Henry Hobson, uniquely combines elements of both the horror and drama genres to present an emotionally-charged story of a desperate father protecting his infected daughter amidst an intense zombie pandemic. The film stars A-listers Arnold Schwarzenegger, Abigail Breslin, and Joely Richardson.

The film could just as easily be termed as a poignant family drama as a zombie thriller. It centers around the relationship between the steadfast dad Wade Vogel (Schwarzenegger) and his teenage daughter, Maggie (Breslin). Trouble lurks when Maggie falls victim to a global outbreak of a necroambulist virus, which metamorphoses its victims into cannibalistic beings, the transition process taking several weeks.

Schwarzenegger's portrayal of Wade gives the audience a glimpse of his raw, unaffected humanity. The larger-than-life action superstar shows off his more sensitive side, stepping into the shoes of an ordinary, hardworking Midwest farmer and tooling a whole new range of emotions. His performance is one of restrained strength, demonstrating stoicism and a sense of paternal tenderness amidst a grim reality. Undeniably, this deviation from his typical roles enables Schwarzenegger to showcase the breadth of his acting capabilities.

Abigail Breslin takes on the role of the eponymous character, Maggie, whose metamorphosing into a zombie forms the crux of the narrative. Breslin delivers a nuanced performance, carrying the weight of the tragedy of her condition with a chilling realism that sends shivers down the spine. Maggie's character deviates from the typical horror movie victims, because she is one grappling with the painful and slow process of turning into the monster she fears. Surviving in the face of imminent despair, the strength and vulnerability exuded by Maggie serves as a cinematic contrast to the gruesome reality of her situation.

Joely Richardson depicts the role of Caroline, Wade's second wife, and Maggie's stepmom. Her character is engaged in a struggle between her love for her husband, responsibility towards her stepdaughter, and the instinctive need to protect her younger children from the infectious disease. She expertly embodies the dichotomy of motherhood amidst a tragic catastrophe.

The filmmakers look past the gore and grotesque primarily associated with the zombie genre. Instead, they delve into the intimate, psychological trauma of character relationships during the slow progression of infection. The narrative space is not overtaken by hordes of the undead. Instead, it shows the profound human moments that occur in the quiet, seemingly normal farms and homes of a small Midwestern town.

The ravaging disease in the movie is not merely a cinematic plot device but acts as a metaphor for inevitable loss, human decay, and impending death. It brings to the fore the very human fear of losing oneself and the anguish of watching a loved one change into something unrecognizable.

The film's visual design and cinematography enhance its narrative. The rustic landscapes, barren fields, and silent homes are shot vividly portraying the melancholy and despair that has befallen the town. The hauntingly beautiful score steadily contributes to the mood, imparting an eerie sense of lurking danger and silent dread.

Maggie offers a heart-rending take on the zombie genre, exploring family bonds, love, and sacrifice, and the tenacity of the human spirit in the face of inevitable doom. It’s an emotionally heavy film that exceptionally intertwines horror with gripping human drama. By imbuing the typically grotesque zombie narrative with profound pathos and thought-provoking existential metaphors, it suggests about the genre's potential capacity for contemplative storytelling. Overall, Maggie represents a compelling divergence from conventional zombie films. It provides the audience with a contemplative examination of life, death, and humanity enmeshed within its hauntingly suspenseful plot.