Anna and the Apocalypse

Anna and the Apocalypse 2018

Directed by

John McPhail

John McPhail

Made by

Odeon

Odeon

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Plot Summary


In the quaint town of Little Haven, Scotland, young Anna Shepherd, portrayed by Ella Hunt, is on the cusp of graduating from school. With dreams of traveling for a year before heading to university, she faces disapproval from her widowed father, Tony, played by Mark Benton. As Anna contends with her own aspirations, her friends are wrapped up in their own dilemmas: best friend John, who secretly harbors feelings for her, is an artist trying to navigate his emotions; budding filmmaker Chris wrestles with a challenging class project; and transfer student Steph grapples with the strictures imposed by the domineering vice principal, Mr. Savage.

The story takes a dark twist during the school’s Christmas show, where tensions rise as Chris’s girlfriend Lisa prepares to perform. While Anna and John are busy working at the local bowling alley, Chris and Steph are off documenting the struggles of the homeless at a local shelter. As if their teenage troubles weren’t enough, a zombie infection unexpectedly erupts.

The very next day, as Anna and John make their way to school, they remain blissfully unaware of the chaos unfolding around them. Their first shocking encounter with a zombie masquerading as a snowman leads to Anna’s swift decapitation of the creature using a seesaw, showcasing her resourcefulness. At school, they find various adult characters—including Chris’s grandmother, Mr. Savage, and Tony—taking refuge. Tensions escalate between Mr. Savage and Tony regarding whether to venture outside to save other survivors or barricade themselves within the school. The decisive military broadcast from Mr. Savage tips the scales in favor of the latter.

Realizing that both home and school are perilous, Anna and John retreat to the bowling alley, where they reunite with Chris and Steph, who are seeking shelter. As the situation spirals further out of control, Steph confronts a zombified janitor, which inadvertently leads to an attack by a group of zombified bowlers. The ensuing battle is bloody, highlighting the group’s struggle for survival and their growing realization that reaching their loved ones is proving increasingly complex.

In the dawn of a new day, the group wakes to discover that the military’s rescue plan has collapsed—zombies have overrun the forces. Nevertheless, they resolutely make their way back to the school in hopes of finding any survivors. Meanwhile, Nick, Anna’s one-night fling, revels in the chaos and takes it upon himself to assist the group. Amidst their harrowing journey, Anna acknowledges John as her “best friend,” hinting she is aware of his unrequited feelings for her.

As the situation escalates at the school, the students face a sudden ambush from zombies, resulting in tragic losses among Nick’s group and a serious injury to John. In a heartwarming sacrifice, John ensures Anna’s safety at the cost of his life. Upon reaching the school, they find Mr. Savage has allowed the zombies inside in his last desperate attempt at maintaining control.

As the climax builds, Anna confronts Mr. Savage in the auditorium and, after a fierce struggle, manages to save Tony, only to learn he has been bitten. The stakes are raised dramatically as Anna prepares for a final showdown, with Nick joining her side just as she bids farewell to her father. Ultimately, Anna escapes her once-beloved hometown in search of safety, making her way towards an uncertain future.

Timeline


Anna's Graduation Dreams

In the quaint town of Little Haven, Scotland, Anna Shepherd is nearing her graduation from school. Despite facing disapproval from her widowed father, Tony, she dreams of traveling for a year before attending university.

Little Haven, Scotland

The Friendships and Dilemmas

As Anna navigates her aspirations, her friends are dealing with their own issues. John secretly harbors feelings for Anna while grappling with his passion for art, and Chris struggles with a challenging class project.

Little Haven, Scotland

Chaos at the Christmas Show

During the school’s Christmas show, tensions rise among the students. Chris's girlfriend Lisa is set to perform, while Anna and John are busy at the local bowling alley, oblivious to the brewing storm in their town.

Little Haven, Scotland

Zombie Infection Erupts

A zombie infection unexpectedly erupts, throwing the town into chaos. As Anna and John go about their day, they are unaware of the danger looming around them, leading to unforeseen encounters.

Little Haven, Scotland

First Encounter with a Zombie

Anna and John's first shocking encounter reveals the horror of their situation when a zombie disguised as a snowman attacks. Anna demonstrates her resourcefulness by swiftly decapitating the creature using a seesaw.

Little Haven, Scotland

Barricading at School

Upon arriving at school, Anna and John discover various adults seeking refuge from the chaos. Tensions rise between Mr. Savage, the vice principal, and Tony as they debate whether to venture outside or stay barricaded.

School in Little Haven

Retreat to the Bowling Alley

Realizing the dangers both at home and school, Anna and John retreat to the bowling alley to regroup with Chris and Steph. The safety of their haven quickly unravels as new dangers lurk in the shadows.

Bowling Alley in Little Haven

Confrontation with the Janitor

In a harrowing turn, Steph confronts a zombified janitor, alerting a group of zombified bowlers. A bloody battle erupts as the group struggles to survive, highlighting the severity of their predicament.

Bowling Alley in Little Haven

Military Rescue Plan Fails

As dawn breaks, the group wakes to the grim reality that the military rescue plan has collapsed. Zombies have overrun the forces, prompting the group to return to school in hopes of finding other survivors.

Little Haven, Scotland

Nick Joins the Group

Nick, who had a fleeting romance with Anna, revels in the chaos and decides to assist the group on their perilous journey. Amidst the turmoil, Anna acknowledges John's feelings by referring to him as her 'best friend.'

Little Haven, Scotland

Ambush at School

The situation escalates as the students face a sudden ambush from zombies at the school. Tragically, Nick's group suffers losses, and John sustains a serious injury during the chaotic assault.

School in Little Haven

John's Sacrifice

In a heart-wrenching moment, John sacrifices himself to ensure Anna's escape, solidifying his enduring love for her. His selfless act adds further emotional weight to their fight for survival.

School in Little Haven

Confrontation with Mr. Savage

Upon finally reaching the school, Anna faces off against Mr. Savage, who has allowed zombies inside in a desperate bid for control. The struggle intensifies as she fights for survival and seeks to save her father.

School Auditorium, Little Haven

The Final Showdown

Realizing that her father has been bitten heightens the stakes in the confrontation. As Anna prepares for a final showdown, she bids farewell to Tony, knowing she must fight for her own survival.

School in Little Haven

Anna's Escape

In the story’s culminating moments, Anna escapes Little Haven, leaving behind her once-beloved hometown for an uncertain future. Her journey is bittersweet, marked by both loss and the hope for safety ahead.

Characters


Anna Shepherd

Anna is a spirited and determined young woman facing the challenges of impending adulthood while grappling with her father's disapproval. Her resourcefulness and bravery shine during the zombie outbreak, showcasing her evolution from a hopeful student to a fierce survivor. Anna’s complex emotions towards her friends reveal her internal struggles as she navigates the chaos.

🦸‍♀️ Protagonist 🎓 Student

John

John is Anna's best friend who secretly harbors romantic feelings for her, creating a layer of complexity to his character. He is an artist and sensitive soul, navigating his emotions amid the horrors of the zombie apocalypse. His ultimate sacrifice for Anna underlines his deep affection and selflessness.

💔 Best Friend 🎨 Artist

Tony

Tony, Anna's widowed father, embodies the protective instincts of a concerned parent trying to shield his daughter from disappointment. His relationship with Anna, marked by concern and tension, demonstrates the complexities of fatherhood, particularly in the face of chaos. His tragic fate underscores the theme of loss within the narrative.

👨‍👧 Father 🛡️ Protector

Chris

Chris is a budding filmmaker who is ambitious yet challenged by personal dilemmas. His desire to document the struggles of the homeless highlights his empathetic nature but also reveals his internal conflicts as the zombie outbreak complicates his artistry. His friendship with Anna adds depth to the group's dynamics.

🎥 Filmmaker 🔍 Empathetic

Steph

Steph is a determined transfer student seeking to break free from the constraints of her strict vice principal. Her keen sense of justice and passion for helping others become evident during the eruption of the zombie chaos. As a loyal friend, she confronts danger head-on, showcasing her bravery and adaptability.

✨ Strong-Willed 💪 Brave

Setting


Time period

The events of the movie unfold during the contemporary period, juxtaposing the normality of teenage life with the unexpected horror of a zombie outbreak. The juxtaposition of holiday festivities with the horror of a zombie apocalypse highlights the fragility of peace in ordinary settings, emphasizing themes of survival and resilience.

Location

Little Haven, Scotland

Little Haven is a quaint Scottish town known for its close-knit community and festive celebrations. During the Christmas season, the town becomes a backdrop for mixed emotions, as the spirit of the holidays clashes with personal struggles and impending chaos. Despite its charming facade, a malevolent zombie infection disrupts the tranquil life of this small town, altering the lives of its young residents forever.

🏴‍☠️ Small Town 🎡 Christmas

Themes


🧟‍♂️

Survival

Survival is a central theme in 'Anna and the Apocalypse', as the characters struggle to navigate the dangers posed by the zombie infection. The friends must confront their fears and work together, highlighting the importance of camaraderie in times of crisis. Their fight for survival forces them to prioritize relationships and face the consequences of their actions.

💔

Loss

The theme of loss is omnipresent throughout the film, as characters experience the devastating impact of both personal and collective tragedies. Anna's journey is marked by unexpected sacrifices—especially with John's heartbreaking fate—which emphasizes the emotional toll of survival amidst chaos. It serves to illustrate that even in the direst situations, the bonds formed in life can carry heavy consequences.

📽️

Ambition

Ambition plays a significant role in the lives of the characters, particularly Anna, who dreams of traveling before starting her university journey. The distraction of their aspirations leads to moments of reflection and growth as they navigate their relationships. The backdrop of a zombie apocalypse juxtaposes their youthful ambitions with the harsh reality they're forced to confront.

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