Debuting on ITV2 in the UK, Zomboat! is filmed in the 2.35:1 widescreen ratio of most zombie movies and answers the life long question of what would happen if you had a boat during a zombie apocalypse!
As the episode begins we are introduced to sisters Kat (Leah Brotherhead – White Gold) and Jo (Cara Theobold – Downton Abbey, Overwatch, Ready Player One), who live in Birmingham, England. Whilst Jo is enjoying her latest conquest, Kat is killing zombies on her computer game when she starts getting messages about what is happening in Birmingham. Soon chaos ensures as Birmingham becomes Ground Zero for a zombie outbreak with the sisters fighting their way to a boat that will take them to an island in London for safety.
Luckily for Jo, Kat has an encylopedia like knowledge of zombies. A nice moment occurs when she reassures her sister about the outbreak: “This is going to be tough for you, because you’ve not seen a single George A Romero film.”
Also caught up in the outbreak are friends Amar (Ryan McKen- Strangers, the State, Line of Duty, Bancroft, Game of Thrones) and Sunny (Hamza Jeetooa – Being Human, Silent Witness, Our Girl, Doctor Who) who are trying to make sense of what is going on. As the episode ends Amar and Sunny are just about to cross paths with Kat and Jo – leaving us in anticipation of what will happen next.
With quick edits and a fast pace you can’t help but feel at times that the story is being a bit rushed. The audience doesn’t always have time to register what is going on before the next set piece unfolds; to be fair there are another five episodes to go yet so that may dispel my concerns on this issue.
The cast gel well together with special mention to the dynamic between Kat and Jo who come across as if they are goggleboxing a zombie apocalypse. This should become the backbone of the series and be developed as the show progresses. The beginning of a new double act?
Verdict: 7/10 An enjoyable debut episode that whilst feeling a bit rushed with lots crammed in, still manages to set up a zombie apocalyptic Birmingham with some good laughs, some good references, and some good dynamics.
Thanks for the write up Brett, might give it a shot just to see whether its for me or not. Keep up the good work
I think it is worth a watch but its strength will be how it develops after Episode 1.
This was a fun review! I’ve linked your work in our article about the series: https://alkony.enerla.net/english/the-nexus/sf-f-nexus/film-review/zomboat-tv-series-2019-film-review-kadmon