I don’t know if there’s a horror sub-genre more flexible and adaptable than the zombie story. It can do straight horror, gore, comedy, romance, tragedy, and can give us social commentary, or just give us a white-knuckle thrill ride.

This time out, it’s a pontificiation on humanity, our treatment of others, growth, and nurturing. Mike Carey delivers a fantastic script based on his novel, and a fantastic cast brings it to life.

A young girl, Melanie (Sennia Nanua) knows nothing but her life in cell, strapped to a wheel chair, and learning from her favorite teacher, Helen (Gemma Arterton). She also puzzles mysteries out with Dr. Caldwell (Glenn Close) and clashes with Sgt. Parks (Paddy Considine).

She and her fellow children aren’t all they seem, and may not even be human… Melanie has to come to terms with her dual nature when she discovers a larger world outside her classroom and cell. A world overrun with zombies, in this case caused by a fungal infection that spreads through bites.

When the base Melanie and the others live on is overrun, Helen, Caldwell, Parks and Melanie end up on the run, hoping to reach another base close to London.

Along the way, we see how Melanie interacts with others. Helen is accepting of her, though she’s terrified of the infection within. Caldwell wants to use her to create a cure, something that would claim Melanie’s life, and Parks, well, Parks just doesn’t like her… it.

There are mistakes and discoveries along the way, as well as some very well crafted sequences as we explore this incarnation of the zombie apocalypse. We’ve seen all manner of zombie hordes in the past, but when executed, they can can still be frightening. And this one has some very frightening moments,

Surrounding Nanua with fantastic actors allows each performer to raise their own performances. And it’s amazing how one can forget how solid an actor Arterton is, subtle and powerful, she brings Helen to life with empathy and compassion, and it’s no surprise that Melanie will do anything for her, and shows the best of what we can be, even in the worst situations.

The effects are solid, the zombies and their lifecycle is hinted at and explored and seems all too real.

Carey’s story is strong and well-crafted and McCarthy directs with an able hand giving us a smart and engaging zombie tale that makes it a strong entry into the genre. It also never sacrifices story or character for the expected zombie kills.

I quite enjoyed this one, and loved the entire cast. It looks great and presents lots to think about.