Anna and the Apocalypse (2018)

After building up a reputation at conventions and late night film festival screenings, Anna and the Apocalypse storms into mainstream theatres, but maybe that's not quite where it belongs. While a zombie Christmas musical might play well with the crowds at a festival or con, it isn't necessarily the sort of thing that mainstream audiences might flock to. And the film falls heavily onto the B-movie side of things. It's almost the sort of thing you want to see at an event and not at the mall megaplex.

Cause despite its too smart for its own good premise, Anna and the Apocalypse isn't quite as subversive as one would assume. It is also far more plain than one would suspect. This isn't Shawn of the Dead or even Doctor Horrible. Despite the title the film ends up being a rather run of the mill low budget zombie film that doesn't push too many buttons. Sure it's a damn charming zombie film and it remains rather enjoyable. But it's not the nerdy Christmas miracle I was expecting.

The songs are Glee-like hummable, as is the cast. But the closest the film gets to being radical is a saucy little holiday tune sung before any of the gore gets going. So in the end it's silly and cute, but not a game changer.

Yet you could do worse if looking for a little holiday magic.

Anna and the Apocalypse 
Starring: Ella Hunt
Director: John McPhail
Writers: Alan McDonald, Ryan McHenry