The Girl with All the Gifts Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Zombie girl goes to school, zombies attack, and the kids take over the world, so humanity can finally stop being so dramatic.

🍿 The Girl with All the Gifts: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A World Ravaged by Fungal Infection

In a dystopian near future, a mutated fungal disease has decimated humanity, turning people into flesh-eating creatures called ‘hungries.’ A glimmer of hope exists in a group of second-generation children, born from infected mothers, who crave human flesh but retain the ability to think and feel.

The Army Base and Dr. Caldwell’s Experiments

These children are held at a secure army base, where they are subjected to cruel experiments by Dr. Caroline Caldwell, a scientist desperately seeking a cure. They are also taught by Helen Justineau, a compassionate teacher who forms a close bond with a gifted young girl named Melanie. Despite being treated like prisoners, Helen sees their humanity and strives to nurture it.

Escape from the Base and a Perilous Journey

When the army base is overrun by hungries, Melanie, Helen, and Dr. Caldwell escape with a small group of soldiers led by Sgt. Eddie Parks. They embark on a dangerous journey through the ravaged landscape, seeking refuge and a chance to find a cure. Melanie’s unique abilities and her growing understanding of her own nature become crucial to their survival.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Melanie (Sennia Nanua): A polite and intelligent second-generation ‘hungry’ child who forms a unique bond with her teacher and grapples with her identity in a post-apocalyptic world.
• Helen Justineau (Gemma Arterton): A compassionate teacher who develops a strong connection with Melanie and fights to protect her, seeing her as more than just a ‘hungry’.
• Sgt Eddie Parks (Paddy Considine): A hardened and pragmatic sergeant who initially views the ‘hungry’ children as monsters but gradually softens his stance towards Melanie.
• Dr Caroline Caldwell (Glenn Close): A determined and ruthless scientist who conducts experiments on the hybrid children in a desperate attempt to find a cure for the fungal disease.
• Kieran Gallagher (Fisayo Akinade): A private in the military who ultimately falls victim to the feral hungries during a search for supplies.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Melanie: “Do you think… do you think they come back different?” – Melanie asks Helen about what happens to people after they turn into ‘hungries’, showing her curiosity and empathy.
• Helen Justineau: “She’s not just a specimen, Dr. Caldwell. She’s a child.” – Helen defends Melanie’s humanity against the cold scientific approach of Dr. Caldwell.
• Sgt Eddie Parks: “We lose this war, it’s over. It’s over for everyone.” – Parks emphasizes the dire consequences of failing to contain the outbreak, reflecting humanity’s desperation.
• Dr Caroline Caldwell: “We don’t get to choose our lives. We just live them.” – Caldwell shares her hardened view on life and destiny, shaped by the apocalyptic circumstances.
• Melanie: “Why should we die, so that you may live?” – Melanie questions the moral justification of sacrificing her kind to save humanity.

💰Box Office

• Budget: £4,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $88,731
• Worldwide Gross: $4,086,096

💥 The Girl with All the Gifts Reviews

Personal Review

Wow, this movie really got to me. I was expecting just another zombie flick, but it’s so much more than that. Sennia Nanua is incredible, and her relationship with Gemma Arterton’s character felt so real and heartfelt. The ending was a total gut-punch, leaving me with a lot to think about. I was scared and engaged all the way through, but also oddly uplifted by the power of Melanie’s decisions. I definitely recommend it to everyone!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of post-apocalyptic fiction”
  • “Viewers interested in unique takes on the zombie genre”
  • “Those who appreciate thought-provoking themes and complex characters”
  • “Audiences who like British horror films”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence and gore”
  • “Disturbing images and themes”
  • “Child endangerment”
  • “Mature thematic elements”

Professional Reviews

• The Guardian: “A smart, scary, and surprisingly moving take on the zombie genre, elevated by strong performances, especially from newcomer Sennia Nanua. It avoids genre clichés and offers a thought-provoking commentary on humanity and survival.
• Empire: “A genuinely original and thrilling zombie flick. This movie benefits from a strong cast, clever twists on familiar tropes, and a surprisingly emotional core, making for a fresh and engaging experience.
• IGN: “The Girl with All the Gifts delivers a fresh spin on zombie lore with compelling characters and a thought-provoking narrative. While it occasionally stumbles with pacing, the strong performances and unique premise make it a worthwhile watch.

Audience Reactions

Sennia Nanua’s outstanding performance as Melanie steals the show.: Viewers praise the fresh take on the zombie genre and the film’s focus on character development and emotional depth.

The film’s blend of horror, sci-fi, and drama creates a unique viewing experience.: Many appreciate the film’s intelligence and its ability to subvert expectations within the zombie genre.

Overall Consensus: The Girl with All the Gifts is a well-received, unique take on the zombie genre, praised for its strong performances, emotional depth, and thought-provoking themes.

Awards

1. BAFTA Awards (Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer)- 2017

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Some of the aerial footage was shot by a second unit in the ghost town of Pripyat, near Chernobyl, in Ukraine, to represent urban London.”
• “The film is based on the novel of the same name by M.R. Carey, who also wrote the screenplay, ensuring a faithful adaptation.”
• “Director Colm McCarthy stated they wanted to surprise people rather than have people coming in expecting a studio level film.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Girl with All the Gifts?

Currently, “The Girl with All the Gifts” is available to rent or purchase on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability as it may vary by region. Unfortunately, it’s not currently included with a subscription to any major streaming service.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Girl with All the Gifts, you might like these similar films:

• 28 Days Later (2002): Shares the post-apocalyptic setting and fast-moving infected, with a similarly bleak outlook on humanity’s survival.
• The Last of Us (2023): Features a fungal outbreak and a focus on the relationship between a hardened survivor and a special child who may hold the key to a cure.
• I Am Legend (2007): Depicts a lone survivor in a deserted city, battling nocturnal creatures and searching for a cure amidst the ruins of civilization.
• Train to Busan (2016): Explores themes of survival and sacrifice during a zombie outbreak, set in a confined environment with compelling character dynamics.
• Children of Men (2006): A dystopian thriller where hope for humanity lies in protecting a single individual, amidst societal collapse and despair.

🛒 The Girl with All the Gifts Related Products

• The Girl with All the Gifts (Novel): Experience the original story that inspired the movie with M.R. Carey’s thrilling novel. Delve deeper into Melanie’s world and the complex relationships that shape her destiny.
• The Last of Us Part II: Dive into the acclaimed video game that shares thematic similarities with the movie. Explore a post-apocalyptic world where humanity is struggling to survive and where a young girl holds the key to the future.
• Zombie Makeup Kit: Create your own ‘Hungry’ transformation with this professional-grade zombie makeup kit. Perfect for Halloween or cosplay, bring the horrifying world of the movie to life.
• Ophiocordyceps Fungi Poster: High-quality poster depicting the real-life Ophiocordyceps fungus, which inspired the terrifying plague in the movie. A subtle and unsettling addition to any horror fan’s collection.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Girl with All the Gifts features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Titles” – performed by Cristobal Tapia de Veer
• “Hungries Attack” – performed by Cristobal Tapia de Veer
• “Beacon” – performed by Cristobal Tapia de Veer

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Girl with All the Gifts (2016) STORY + CORDYCEPS INFECTION Explained

Ever wondered about the science behind the zombies in ‘The Girl with All the Gifts’? This video breaks down the story and the cordyceps infection in a way that’s both fascinating and easy to understand. I found it super insightful!

Children Voluntarily Imprisoned? #shorts

Can you imagine kids *choosing* to be locked up? This short clip from ‘The Girl with All the Gifts’ shows just that, and it’s seriously mind-bending. Definitely makes you think!

✨ Rate