CARGO. What Sets It Apart from Other Zombie Films?

Cargo is not just another zombie movie. Sure, the slow, ravenous creatures cause plenty of trouble for the characters, and a deadly pandemic lies at the foundation of the story. All of this, however, merely serves as a backdrop for a tale whose core is not the fight against the infected, but care for loved ones and a look at the darker side of human nature. Zombies usually linger somewhere in the background, ominously reminding us of the dangerous reality of the depicted world. An equally serious threat, however, can be posed by other survivors, who, in the face of the collapse of civilization, reveal their true nature. The story is set in Australia, torn between the culture of white settlers and the traditions of its Indigenous peoples.

It is precisely this last element that sets Cargo apart from many productions dealing with similar themes. Observing two such vastly different groups, we feel as if we are witnessing two separate realities. Interestingly, it is the Aboriginal people who seem to better understand the essence of the deadly plague and how to live in a world ruled by it. The mysticism and spirituality characteristic of their culture prove more effective than the elaborate defenses and traps devised by the white man. The latter has not forgotten how to most efficiently acquire resources and gain an advantage over others—through brutality and the exploitation of Indigenous people.

Even a mangled corpse rotting in the sun does not inspire as much revulsion as a person focused solely on amassing wealth (for some future time) at the expense of others. Fortunately, the world of Cargo is not simplistically black and white, and along his journey the protagonist, Andy, also encounters individuals who try to help those in need however they can.

Without such support, his personal mission might prove impossible. Traversing zombie-infested wilderness is deadly enough on its own, and the protagonist is additionally burdened with carrying his infant daughter. In a reality where silence is often the only thing separating a person from death, a crying child frequently amounts to a death sentence. These, however, are the harsh realities of the situation, and the only alternative is surrender—something a weaker person might choose. Andy is not someone who gives up easily. Despite being put through a severe trial in the film’s first act, his response is not collapse, but determination.

Andy is neither a warrior nor a hero and avoids confrontation at all costs. He is an ordinary, harmless man who discovers true strength within himself through the power of parental love. All of these traits and emotions find a flawless embodiment in Martin Freeman. There is hardly a film or series that does not significantly benefit from his presence, and this time it can be said that he carries not only a child on his shoulders, but the entire film. This is not a performance built on overtly dramatic expression, but rather on nuance—small gestures and subtle facial expressions. A single look from Freeman can convey everything we need to know.

It is a shame that the directing duo did not manage to present the fight scenes and confrontations with equal finesse, as they often feel rather contrived. The staging of the action, camera work, and editing—each of these aspects could have benefited from the input of more experienced filmmakers. As a result, many scenes unfortunately lose some of the impact they might have had with more skillful execution. Thankfully, the beautiful cinematography and suitably unsettling score effectively draw attention away from such shortcomings, creating a truly engrossing world. At times, certain inexplicably reckless decisions made by the characters may irritate, but it is worth remembering that mistakes are easy to make in extreme circumstances.

Far more important than such details is the emotional weight of the entire story, which touches on fundamental issues in an unobtrusive way. Cargo is a modest and restrained film whose emotional power puts much larger productions to shame. I highly recommend this title to anyone with access to Netflix.