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Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of Maggie (2015). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.


We hear the poignant voice of Maggie Vogel as she desperately calls for her father during a deadly curfew in her city. Despite her pleas for him not to search for her, she expresses her love for him. The world is in turmoil, suffering from the brutal grip of the Necroambulist virus, which transforms its victims into ravenous zombies. In a frantic attempt to avoid further contamination, farmers have resorted to burning their fields and crops.

Amidst this chaos, Wade, Maggie’s father, sets out to find his daughter. Maggie finds herself captured by armed officials, who place her in a hospital area with others who have been infected. With a bite mark on her arm, she knows the inevitable progression of the virus is looming. Wade is granted permission to take Maggie home to sort out her affairs before quarantine becomes necessary. During their trip back, they stop for Maggie to pick up some sunglasses, where Wade encounters a zombie and responds with instinct, breaking its neck in a moment of raw survival.

Upon returning, Wade is welcomed home by his wife, Caroline, and Maggie’s siblings, Bobby and Molly. The children are quickly sent to stay with their aunt to shield them from the escalating tragedy of Maggie’s affliction. A heartfelt conversation occurs between Maggie and Bobby, who senses the grim fate awaiting her.

As days pass, Wade makes a drastic decision, burning down his fields to prevent any possible outbreak. Meanwhile, Maggie, confined to her room, desperately reaches out to her friends, trying to distract herself from the harrowing reality. However, her condition escalates when, one day, a simple cut on her finger begins to ooze a dark, viscous fluid. Terrified, she resorts to cutting off the finger and discards it into the garbage disposal. In a desperate turn, she and Wade encounter another family affected by the virus — a man, Nathan, and his daughter, Julia. In a struggle for survival, Wade kills Nathan with a hatchet, while Maggie, horrified, flees from witnessing what her father does to Julia.

Overwhelmed with guilt for his actions, Wade seeks comfort from Bonnie, the wife of the zombified Nathan, who regrets her own inaction regarding the quarantine protocol. She reflects on the betrayal of trust in the medical system, where her family was treated like a mere experiment rather than deserving individuals.

Desperate for answers, Wade consults with a doctor regarding Maggie’s options. He is presented with three grim choices: immediate quarantine, a painful cocktail administered in his presence, or a swift, merciful ending. Wade chooses to cherish their remaining moments together, bonding with Maggie over broken memories and laughter while poking fun at Caroline’s cooking.

Maggie’s friend Allie pays her a visit, inviting her to join a gathering with friends. Among the group is a boy named Trent, who, like Maggie, has been infected. Their evening spirals into a bittersweet moment when they share a kiss, yet as the sun sets, the reality of their circumstances weighs heavily on Allie, who sobs alone in her car after delivering Maggie home.

As Maggie’s transformation intensifies, she notices her eye color fading and begins to assert that she can smell food, a confusing claim met with denial from Caroline. In her quest for companionship, she seeks out Trent only to find a tense scenario where his father holds a gun, refusing to let him come out, recognizing it’s time for Trent to be taken away.

Days later, we see Maggie descending into deeper despair. She wanders into the woods where she encounters a wounded fox, which leads her home covered in blood, an indicative sign of her terminal condition. Wade tries to deal with the emotional turmoil by venturing into the woods to put the suffering fox down, paralleled by Caroline’s pleas for him to accept the reality of Maggie’s fate by calling the authorities.

When officers do arrive, Wade reacts in panic, entangling himself in a confrontation to protect Maggie, who insists she is alright, desperately trying to avoid being taken away.

In one final act of remembrance, Wade brings Maggie to a garden once tended by her mother, filled with white daisies, hoping to grant her a moment of solace. He assures her that she will not vanish from his life.

As her transformation nears completion, Wade sits in the living room with a shotgun in hand, unable to confront what he must ultimately do. Maggie, nearly unrecognizable, descends the stairs, her skin a ghastly grey, eyes blackened by the infection. In a haunting farewell, she kisses Wade’s forehead before heading to the roof, reminiscing about her mother. With a heavy heart, she leaps off the roof, her last vision being of her younger self joyfully playing among flowers with her mother.

Timeline

Track the key events of Maggie (2015) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


A City in Turmoil

The world is gripped by the deadly Necroambulist virus, transforming humans into ravenous zombies. This chaos leads to desperate measures, with farmers burning their fields to prevent the spread of infection.

N/A City

Maggie's Plea

Amidst the deadly outbreak, Maggie Vogel desperately calls out for her father, Wade. The emotional call highlights her love for him, underscoring the crisis they are facing and her wish for him to stay away.

N/A City

Wade's Search Begins

Despite Maggie's pleas, Wade sets out on a harrowing journey to find his daughter. His determination reflects the depths of a father's love in the face of an unimaginable crisis.

N/A Urban Area

Maggie's Captivity

Maggie is captured by armed officials and placed in a hospital area designated for those infected by the virus. She bears a bite mark on her arm, foreseeing her grim future as the infection progresses.

N/A Hospital

A Bittersweet Return

Wade is granted permission to take Maggie home, allowing her a chance to settle her affairs before quarantine forces her away. The car ride becomes a haunting reminder of their bond as they stop along the way.

N/A Road

Tragic Survival

During an unexpected stop, Wade encounters a zombie and instinctively breaks its neck. This brutal moment highlights the intensity of the threat they face and the instincts for survival taking precedence.

N/A Street

A Family Divided

Upon returning home, the family is thrown into disarray as Maggie's siblings are sent away to live with their aunt. The separation emphasizes the escalating horror of Maggie's condition and the protective measures taken by their parents.

N/A Home

Desperate Measures

As Maggie's condition worsens, she resorts to cutting off her infected finger. This disturbing act symbolizes her struggle to defy the inevitable fate the virus imposes on her.

Days Later Home

A Grim Encounter

During a chance encounter with another infected family, Wade is forced to take drastic action that ends in tragedy. This moment leaves Maggie traumatized as she flees from the horror of her father's actions.

N/A Woods

Seeking Comfort

Wade seeks solace from Bonnie, the wife of a man he was forced to kill. She expresses her own despair and the betrayal felt towards the medical system, illustrating the fractures within humanity's fight against the virus.

N/A N/A

Grim Choices Ahead

Wade consults a doctor about Maggie's condition and learns of the three grim options that lie before them. Opting instead to embrace their remaining time together, they share moments of broken laughter and cherished memories.

N/A Doctor's Office

A Bittersweet Visit

Maggie receives a visit from her friend Allie, who invites her to a gathering. This visit turns bittersweet as Maggie shares a kiss with another infected young man, Trent, marking a moment of connection amidst despair.

N/A Home

The Descent into Darkness

As Maggie's transformation accelerates, she becomes increasingly aware of her deteriorating condition. Her attempts to reach out for companionship are met with the harsh reality of being rejected by the world around her.

Days Later Neighborhood

A Final Goodbye

In a poignant and heartbreaking moment, Wade takes Maggie to a garden once tended by her mother. They share a bittersweet farewell, affirming that their bond will remain despite the impending loss.

N/A Garden

Maggie's Last Choice

As her transformation nears completion, Maggie prepares for her final act and leaps from the roof. This haunting farewell captures her struggle and acceptance of her fate, leaving Wade to grieve the loss of his daughter.

N/A Roof

Characters

Meet the characters that bring Maggie (2015) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Maggie Vogel (Abigail Breslin)

Maggie is a resilient teenage girl whose life takes a tragic turn after becoming infected by the Necroambulist virus. As she grapples with her impending transformation, Maggie exhibits bravery while also confronting the profound emotional toll of her fate. Her character represents innocence lost and the struggle to maintain connections with her family and friends.

👩‍🦰 Infected 💔 Brave 🌹 Innocent

Wade (Arnold Schwarzenegger)

Wade is a devoted father determined to protect his daughter Maggie at all costs. As he navigates the terrifying realities of a world beset by the undead, he balances strength and vulnerability, showcasing deep emotional conflict as he faces the inevitable loss of his daughter. Wade’s character embodies the quintessential father's love in a time of crisis.

👨‍👧 Protective 💔 Devoted 🔨 Strong

Caroline (Joely Richardson)

Caroline is Maggie's mother who represents the emotional struggles faced by parents during a devastating crisis. Her character is filled with despair and denial as she confronts the looming threats to her family. Caroline's perspective illuminates the harsh realities of balancing hope and grief in the face of impending loss.

😔 Distraught 💞 Caring 🤷‍♀️ Resigned

Setting

Uncover the settings of Maggie (2015), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.


Time period

Contemporary

The events unfold in a contemporary setting where a devastating virus has transformed society into a battleground against the undead. This period highlights themes of survival, family bonds, and the emotional toll of facing unimaginable circumstances in a fight against time.

Location

Unknown City, Family Home, Hospital, Woods

The movie is set in an unspecified city gripped by a catastrophic virus, creating a backdrop of panic and desperation. The family's home serves as a sanctuary amidst the chaos, symbolizing the struggle to maintain normalcy. The hospital represents a dismal fate for the infected, while the surrounding woods reflect a haunting space of isolation and despair.

🏙️ City 🏡 Home 🏥 Hospital 🌲 Woods

Themes

Explore the core themes of Maggie (2015). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


🧟‍♂️

Survival

Maggie and her father Wade navigate a world overrun by zombies and the threat of the Necroambulist virus. Survival is a central theme, showcasing the lengths to which Wade will go to protect his daughter. It highlights the instinctual drive to keep loved ones safe amidst a crumbling society.

💔

Family Bonds

The film poignantly explores the bonds of family, particularly the relationship between Maggie and Wade. Their journey emphasizes love, sacrifice, and the pain of letting go. As Maggie's condition worsens, the emotional weight of their connection deepens, illustrating the heartache of familial love in dire circumstances.

😢

Loss

Loss pervades the narrative as Maggie faces the reality of her transformation into a zombie. The emotional struggle of accepting this fate leads to heart-wrenching decisions and reflections on life. Characters grapple with the impending loss of their identities and loved ones in a world rapidly spiraling into despair.

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