Zombie movies have been around for almost a century and remain popular today. This long history makes it tough for new zombie films to stand out. With so many similar movies, viewers often see repeated themes and stories.
However, occasionally, a zombie movie brings fresh ideas and renews interest in the genre. “Cargo,” directed by Ben Howling and Yolanda Ramke, is one such film. It surprises viewers by having the main character get infected within the first fifteen minutes.
Martin Freeman’s excellent performance as an infected father trying to save his baby daughter adds to the movie’s appeal. The film explores a parent’s deep desire to protect their child, even when their own future is bleak.
There are many zombie movies set in one or two locations. It makes sense to stay in a farmhouse, like in “The Night of the Living Dead,” or use a mall as a fortress, like in “Dawn of the Dead.” Characters usually stay together in groups for safety until someone betrays the group.
“Cargo” Is About How Strong a Father’s Love Is for His Daughter
“Cargo” starts with three characters—a husband, wife, and their baby. Tragically, the wife, Kay (Susie Porter), gets infected. Andy (Martin Freeman) must protect their baby, Rosie, alone.
He doesn’t stay in one place. Andy, now infected, has 48 hours to find someone to care for Rosie before he turns into a zombie. He travels through a zombie-infested Australian outback to do this.
Andy meets a few people on his journey, but never more than two at a time. The small number of people and the lack of zombie hordes highlight the loneliness and danger of Andy’s situation. It is uplifting when he works with a young Aboriginal girl, Thoomi (Simone Landers), to find a safe place for Rosie before he turns into a zombie.
Another smart storytelling method in “Cargo” is the 48-hour time limit before a person turns into a zombie. This limit puts the character’s emotional struggle at the center of the movie. The audience doesn’t worry about Andy turning at any moment, but they see a tense countdown on Andy’s watch. The real question is, “Can he save Rosie before he turns?”
Martin Freeman’s acting adds to the movie’s tension. Other characters appear briefly in Andy’s story, but none stay for the whole movie.
This leaves Freeman to carry much of the story on his own, and he does so excellently. He shows Andy’s growing desperation, especially when he faces ending his life to protect Rosie from more danger.
Escort missions, where a capable character guides another through dangerous areas, are common in zombie stories. “The Last of Us” is a great example, showing how a reluctant protector grows to love their charge.
In “Cargo,” Andy doesn’t need to learn to care for his daughter—he loves her from the start. The movie is about whether he can save her before he dies, not about him becoming a better father.
“Cargo” contrasts Andy’s determination with another father he meets. Running out of options, Andy looks for a family he saw earlier, hoping they’ll care for Rosie. But the father of that family has been bitten and plans to kill his family and himself to spare them further horrors.
This heartbreaking moment is similar to the ending of “The Mist,” where a father believes death is the only way to protect his family. This idea tempts Andy too.
The other father offers him bullets, and Andy considers using them to end his life, hoping Thoomi will care for Rosie. But when Rosie calls him “Dada” for the first time, he decides to keep fighting for her.
“Cargo” is a zombie movie but focuses more on character-driven storytelling than gore or violence. It’s like “The Road,” where the apocalypse is just a setting for a deep emotional story.
Directors Howling and Ramke present an interesting take on zombies, but the real attraction is the emotional story, carried by Martin Freeman’s memorable performance. “Cargo” is available to stream on Netflix in the U.S.
