Response To Zombie Outbreaks

The response by the military in the film to the zombie outbreak appears to be far more rapid that would be expected based on Brooks’ descriptions of zombie outbreaks. Barry’s sister Brook is show as being captured by a pair of military men searching for survivors in what seems to be the morning after the outbreak. What could at first possibly be seen as a rescue quickly takes a nefarious turn as the men rough handle and test Brook’s blood for an unknown purpose. Once her blood checks out, the men knock Brooke out and take her to an insane doctor who is experimenting on the undead in the back of a highly modified truck. His actions in experimenting on Brooke and the zombies cause her to change into something more than human. Brooke gains the ability to control the zombies around her and uses them to kill the doctor and free herself. She later uses this ability to save both Barry and herself from the military men who captured her in the first place (Roache-Turner & Roache-Turner, 2014).
This ability to control zombies is not typical in the zombie genre, but has been used before. In the television series titled “Z Nation” the anti-hero, Murphy, develops similar abilities after he receives a vaccine that is meant to prevent the zombie
infection. He similarly changes into something more than human as a result of this medical testing, and also develops a significant distrust of ordinary humans due to his mistreatment at the hands of morally suspect medical personnel (Schaefer & Engler, 2014-2016).
The image of the military as a morally corrupt and evil organization is in stark contrast with its portrayal in much of the zombie genre.
In the novel “Oster Point” the military is seen as providing stability and hope in the midst of chaos (Gunther, 2015). Similarly, in the series “Z Nation”, the lone military survivor of a NORAD installation seeks to aid those survivors who are left by providing them with information that he gathers with the advanced technology available to him (Schaefer & Engler, 2014-2016). Brooks’ also has little that is negative to say about the military response to a zombie outbreak other than to mention that they would likely have well defended bases once they have managed to respond to an outbreak (Brooks,
2003).
Wrymwood is a true post Romero zombie film in its depiction of the carnage involved with zombies feeding and being killed by the protagonists (Harris, 2015). At times this bloodletting seems a bit over the top, but ends up feeling appropriate in a low budget movie that does not take itself too seriously. Many of the gunshots result in explosive wounds that spray blood in ways that are just not realistic. Similarly much of the experimentation by the doctor in the movie shows medical procedures being conducted that bear little in common with reality. (Roache-Turner & Roache-Turner, 2014).
The film possesses little in the way of a political or social message with possible exception that those playing at being a god are likely to be destroyed by their creations. The film provides a great mix of previous zombie related lore with a distinctly Australian post-apocalyptic “Road Warrior” like feel. The movie ends on something of a high note as Brooke and her brother Barry are reunited and are able to exact revenge on those who captured and tortured her. The story remains untold of their future in this new world. In the end, Wrymwood, is a great addition to the zombie genre that explores unique possibilities while remaining fun and engaging.