The terrifying zombie movie Mike Flanagan once couldn't stop praising

In the realm of modern horror, one name that resonates powerfully is that of Mike Flanagan. With his spine-chilling creations like The Haunting of Hill House and The Fall of the House of Usher, Flanagan has solidified himself as a modern maestro of the genre. After all, few can count both Stephen King and Quentin Tarantino as bonafide fans of their work. But there’s a terrifying gem Flanagan himself couldn’t help but praise countless times.

Directed by Ben Howling and Yolanda Ramke, and penned by Ramke herself, Cargo emerged from their 2013 short film of the same title. Starring Martin Freeman, Simone Landers, Anthony Hayes, and a stellar ensemble, this Australian post-apocalyptic horror drama delivered a chilling experience. The film impressed Flanaga so much that he ended up working with Howling and Ramke on The Haunting of Bly Manor.

Set amid a deadly disease outbreak, Cargo follows the journey of a couple and their infant through remote Australia. Martin Freeman’s portrayal of a father desperate to secure his child’s safety amid the chaos is both haunting and deeply human. The film’s tension arises not only from the looming threat of the epidemic but also from the emotional stakes woven into every scene.

Flanagan’s praise for Cargo has been profuse. In an interaction with Rotten Tomatoes, he remarked, “Man does this movie hit me in the heart. Yolanda Ramke and Ben Howling have crafted a zombie movie unlike any other I’ve ever seen, with a dynamite hook and an emotional through-line that affected me way more than I was expecting.” He went on to explain why the film hit as hard as it did, “As a parent, this movie seized me by the heart. The final moments are as beautiful and poignant as I’ve seen, in and out of the genre.”

Apart from Cargo, The Fall of the House of Usher creator also praised films like Ana Lily Amirpour’s badass vampire tale A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night, Rob Grant’s “wickedly funny thriller” Harpoon, and Adam Robitel’s found footage gem The Taking Of Deborah Logan. Praising the ghost story of Lake Mungo, Flanagan shared, “I have been recommending Joel Anderson’s unforgettable film to people for years and used to actually stockpile copies of it to give away.”

Premiering at the Adelaide Film Festival in October 2017, Cargo quickly garnered attention for its gripping story and exceptional performances. Its subsequent release on Netflix introduced it to a global audience, solidifying its status as a must-watch for horror aficionados. There are moments of heart-pounding terror as the infected close in, but at its core, the film is a tale as old as time: how far a parent will go to protect their child.

In Cargo, horror isn’t just about what lurks in the shadows; it’s about the raw, primal emotions that surface when faced with unimaginable circumstances. And in the hands of Ramke and Howling, these emotions are palpable, driving the story forward with relentless intensity.

If you’re in the mood for a zombie movie that will chill you to the bone and tug at your heartstrings in equal measure, look no further because Cargo is streaming on Netflix.