Quick Info
So, Anna and the Apocalypse is this totally unexpected mashup of a high school musical and a zombie apocalypse—think Glee meets Shaun of the Dead, but with more Christmas sweaters. The basic premise is, on Christmas Eve, students in a sleepy Scottish town suddenly find themselves singing and dancing their way through a zombie outbreak. It’s cheeky, bloody, and surprisingly heartfelt. I went in expecting something schlocky, but it balances charm and chaos in a way that’s really endearing.
One thing that really stood out to me was the music. The songs, like “Turning My Life Around” and “Hollywood Ending,” are catchy and self-aware, adding a layer of wit to the carnage. They do a great job setting the tone, and the cast really commits to the singing and choreography, which is a big part of why the whole concept actually lands. The tunes legitimately get stuck in your head, and there’s something almost defiant about belting out show tunes while evading zombies.
That said, the storyline isn’t exactly deep or groundbreaking—though it doesn’t have to be. There are some pacing issues, especially in the second act, where it loses steam and the novelty of “zombies + musical numbers” starts to wear thin. Some emotional beats get brushed over a little too quickly, and a couple of the side characters don’t get much love. Still, there’s enough tongue-in-cheek humor and quirky horror that I never felt bored.
Visually, it’s not the flashiest film, but the cinematography is dynamic during the musical numbers—lots of kinetic shots, fun dance sequences, and playfully gory zombie kills. The snowy small-town vibe adds major holiday atmosphere, which totally works for the story. Ella Hunt, as Anna, anchors the film nicely. She’s likable and grounded, and you’re genuinely rooting for her and her friends to power through the chaos.
You’d enjoy this if you dig genre-mashups or offbeat holiday movies, or if you just want something different from the usual musical fare. It’s for folks who like their musicals with a smattering of blood, a bit of teen angst, and a smirk. It’s not a perfect film, but it’s got enough heart and originality to make it a delightful cult favorite.
