Daddy's Little Girl

Maggie

Like me, most parents couldn’t stand the thought of their children dying. I think the worst part of that is knowing that there isn’t anything that parents can do about it. I honestly don’t know what I would do in that situation. This family dilemma has been showcased in a different light in Lionsgate’s new film Maggie. Along with watching your child welt away into death, Maggie adds a supernatural aspect that has been very popular over the last couple of years.

After learning that his daughter Maggie (Abigail Breslin Little Miss Sunshine) has been bitten by a zombie, small town farmer Wade (Arnold Schwarzenegger Terminator: Genisys) must go to the city hospital and bring his daughter home. Only having six weeks until Maggie is lost to the infection, Wade must try and spend the next few weeks caring for his daughter and do everything he can to keep her from being taken to a concentration camp-esque Quarantine Zone. Meanwhile, Maggie must cope with what has happened to her and all that she is leaving behind.

This is a simple film that does what it can to separate itself from the rest of the drama and horror films that have come to theatres lately. The filmmakers do a great job making sure that one aspect never really takes over the other. The film tries to deliver a few scares and the Breslin’s transformation through the make-up is there to remind us that this film is part horror, but mostly the film hangs on the family drama.

I was impressed with both of the main performances. Schwarzenegger really shows a different side to his acting ability. Schwarzenegger’s Wade is a proud man that wants nothing but the best for his family. Schwarzenegger really gives the audience a character that tries to be strong for his daughter, but has nothing but grief and sadness raging through him. Breslin also delivers a great performance as Maggie by making Maggie relatable and still human. Breslin mirrors Schwarzenegger at times with the calm surface and the turmoil inside.

What impressed me the most about this film is the direction of Henry Hobson. This is Hobson’s directorial debut and there is much to like about the young filmmaker. Hobson keeps this film very grounded into a world that is believable. He never goes too far off reservation with the story or the supernatural elements that are involved. Hobson keeps this story as simple as possible, but bringing a lot of emotion out of his leads. Hobson also shoots this film gloriously. As dark and gritty as the world is in this film, Hobson is able to capture the beauty in every shot.

Now I know that I have tip-toed around what I really thought of the film and that is because I still really don’t know what to say. I liked certain things about this film (i.e. the acting and the direction), but there are other things I didn’t like (i.e. some characters and avenues the film tried to go down). I am really on the fence of this film and I will say this…rent this film. If you would like to see a different take on the zombie genre than Maggie is for you, but if you just want to be scared then take a pass.

The Verdict: Check Out on Blu-Ray or Video On Demand