Apocalypse Z: New World Review: Spanish post-apocalyptic action-thriller Apocalypse Z returns for a second film 2 years after the first film left us following an ordinary man fighting against extraordinary hardships. The sequel takes the zombie outbreak to a larger scale, following a new protagonist, a bigger infestation of infected individuals and a dangerous mission that will seem familiar to zombie genre fans.
The cast includes Carlos Alcaide, Jose Maria Yazpik, Julia Martínez, Berta Vázquez, Tamara Casellas, Santiago Vaca Narvaja, Mario Mayo, Pedro Hernández, Javier Godino, and Mónica López. Carles Torrens directs the film (Apocalipsis Z: Nuevo Mundo).
Apocalypse Z: New World Review
A Familiar Zombie Apocalypse With Bigger Stakes
Zombie films have long explored the consequences of a virus outbreak that pushes humanity to its limits. There have been several films on the matter, ranging from one-location thrillers to showcasing the downfall of the world. While the infected are obviously the bigger threat, sometimes humanity’s own selfishness becomes the primary source of shock and disgust, as we see human beings turning on one another for survival. It’s in these situations that we see the most animalistic aspects of humans come out, laying bare how close we are to the animal world.
The reason why Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End made such a splash in 2024 was its surprisingly intimate and relatable storytelling in the midst of an unthinkable situation. While the zombies were the thriller elements, it’s Javier and his cat Lúculo who were the obvious beating heart of the story. It’s the emotional fight for survival when all hope is lost that made viewers stick till the end to see whether the duo would survive or not.
However, Apocalypse Z: New World takes the more intimate survival narrative of its predecessor and takes a more action-packed approach, taking the emotional elements and turning it into a run-of-the-mill fight for survival. The new film takes place in the only safe haven left for humanity, the Canary Islands, where a group of people decide to put their lives at risk and embark on a journey to find supplies to ensure the continuity of the human race. Between the infected and the growing tension in the group, the film is somewhat similar to others in the genre.
Much like others, the film primarily focuses on the breakdown of group dynamics in the midst of crisis as hordes of zombies destroy the world. The film is generic and is more interested in delivering bloody & action-packed sequences instead of developing its characters and creating an emotional tie between the characters. As a result, nothing about it is really memorable in any way because the characters don’t have anything differentiating them and watching zombies eat humans isn’t anything new anymore.
More Zombies, More Action and Less Character Development
Expanding on the previous thought, the sequel, unlike the first film, takes place some time after its predecessor and thus, Earth has been overrun by zombies. The scale is larger in the sequel, and its bigger ambition is obvious from the first minute. The action sequences are considerably more elaborate and stylish, and the military presence makes the story feel rather serious and high-stakes. The infected have a bigger role to play here, and the fight between humanity and the zombies is given more importance.
This works in the film’s favour, as it makes it feel more intense and thrilling. The emphasis on spectacle is obvious, and thus, for viewers who enjoy watching something large-scale and fast-paced, this instalment will definitely leave you entertained. However, for fans who are more interested in the human stories in the midst of chaos, there’s disappointment to be had. What made the first film stand out is its obvious focus on Javier and his experience in a changing world. The sequel is mostly a run-of-the-mill watch that doesn’t really focus on anyone in particular and just wants to show you people getting eaten or zombies getting blown up.
The little emotional moments that are there in the runtime, thus, fall flat since it’s not established well enough to make an impact. The action is relentless, and there’s very little scope for character development.
Does Apocalypse Z: New World Improve on the First Film?
The two films are distinctly different. While the first film was able to balance the horror of the apocalypse with Javier’s character arc, the second film is cold and unfeeling as it focuses more on military operations, large-scale confrontations and a more group approach. The Beginning of the End‘s relatively contained approach allowed viewers to connect with the protagonist, such that viewers could understand the emotional consequences of the outbreak. The same can’t be said for Apocalypse Z: New World.
The change makes the new film feel generic and without a personality of its own. While the second film doesn’t recreate its predecessor, which is a good thing, it doesn’t leave much of an impact either because, while trying to not copy the first film, it ends up copying every other film in the genre.
The spectacle will be engrossing to many as it inflates the stakes, but it doesn’t leave an impact because the characters are so unmemorable. Some of the digital effects, too, are noticeably artificial. In the end, while New World improves on the scale and spectacle of the first film, it’s ultimately less impactful and memorable.
Final Verdict
Ultimately, Apocalypse Z: New World is unmemorable and is a generic zombie thriller without depth. If you’re looking for an unmemorable but action-packed watch that will keep you consistently entertained, then this one’s a good choice. But beyond that, the film lacks personality and depth.
Watch Apocalypse Z: New World on Prime Video now. What are your thoughts on the sequel? Let us know in the comments below!
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