Schwarzenegger impresses, but this slow zombie drama loses its way between tones.
Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.
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Critic consensus
Critical reception for Maggie is mixed, with reviewers divided on whether its unconventional, slow-burn approach to the zombie genre succeeds. Several critics praised the film's restrained, human-centred drama and Schwarzenegger's unexpectedly nuanced performance, with one calling it a zombie film of unusual depth. However, a recurring criticism is that the film falls flat in execution — its pace is described as lethargic and its drama insufficiently compelling to compensate for the absence of genre thrills, leaving it stranded between two tones without fully satisfying either. A minority of critics found it a rewarding departure, while the majority felt its ambition outpaced its results.
4 not-rated reviews aren't plotted
Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10
AI-generated summary of 11 critic reviews · may contain errors
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Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated
Top critic
Film review ·
Were Brad Pitt of World War Z to meet Brad Pitt of A Tree of Life, you could have Maggie. Almost. For, while Terence Malik hangs heavy over this film, Hobson — who was a part of Malik's A Tree of Life — jettisons the symbolism long enough to give us a warm, working family strained by a zombie scare.
Top critic
Film review ·
The biggest letdown of the movie is that it isn't scary at all – it makes you wonder what the filmmakers were aiming for. Neither is the drama powerful enough to keep you interested, nor are there any cheap thrills for fun. 'Maggie' ultimately is stuck somewhere in between the two ends, and is a fairly big disappointment, especially for fans of Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Film review ·
Heading an excellent ensemble, Arnold Schwarzenegger brings unexpected complexity and compassion to his role of the distraught father. A zombie film of unusual depth, Maggie gives American horror cinema the shot in the arm it so desperately needs. Miss it at your peril.
Film review ·
The film straddles a sort of middle ground between scary and family drama and it takes a look at the other side of a zombie film - the human side sans violence. Refreshingly, jump scares are diligently avoided too. Breslin's performance is both intense as well as moving. But most surprisingly, Maggie sees a rather interesting change of pace for Arnold Schwarzenegger, who pulls off playing a caring, sensitive character pretty well indeed.
Film review ·
...is a well-directed zombie film that is pleasantly engaging. It will appeal to those who are not into gore and blood curdling horror.
Film review ·
...result in an ironical fetishisation of the very genre he is trying to lament, but at least accounts for the relentless atmosphere of death and grief that rests heavily on the film.
Film review ·
They say less is more. For the most part, in this film, it isn't. This isn't your average post-apocalyptic/ zombie flick.
Film review ·
Even though Maggie has been wrongly categorized as thriller or horror, it has pulled off drama better than any other film. The void that is formed due to the lack of action is efficiently filled by the emotional music and the few but powerfully delivered dialogues. Apart from a few flaws, the film is a unique display of life, love and loss set in the backdrop of a 'necroambulishm' (We're too scared to use the Z word) infected town. Grab a bucket of popcorn and take those tissues not to hide your face in, but to wipe your tears.
Film review ·
Maggie is a novel idea. In certain places its shot beautifully as well. But the film is too indulgent and deliberate. That it's a departure from the regular Arnie movies is a good thing. But fact is, this film has the ability to zombify its viewers in a slow trance.
Film review ·
The idea of an emotional drama that looks at the conflict of turning into a zombie is distinctive. However, barring one or two textbook shocks and a few disturbing scenes, Hobson's narrative moves at such a lethargic pace that it's unlikely that this zombie terminator will be back.
Film review ·
But the theme of unconditional love is, vitiated, in your reviewer's humble opinion, by the promotion of suicide and mercy killing (suggested by a doctor no less). It boggles the mind that doctors who take the Hippocratic oath to heal and save life should actually support its termination in violation of the ancient (2,500 year-old) oath which states, categorically in one section: "And I will not give a drug that is deadly to anyone if asked, nor will I suggest the way to such a counsel." The film also indicates that Heaven awaits the good who commit suicide, again, a theologically flawed position for suicide is not the same thing as martyrdom.
From our readers
1 rating · user score 2.0
Post-apocalyptic dramas are actually fun to watch due to their fast pace and suspense-filled deaths. But, Maggie, which can be categorized in the borderline of drama and thriller genres is nothing much to talk about. An epidemic has taken control of the world as there is no sign of any vaccine or cure. Mostly because not even once in the film has the cause or origin of the mutation discussed. All one will see in the film is a teenager named Maggie (Breslin) introspecting about why this diseased life was awarded to her and her gloomy father (Schwarzenegger) fooling around in the farm, doing specifically nothing. To put it simply, there is no action in the plot neither is there any development. The cinematography focuses onto the protagonists' faces and I could even count the number of hair in Breslin's left nose hole. 17, from the scene I observed towards the end. But it could be 18 or 19. The snail-paced screenplay throws nothing much for its audience to chew, which is like being handed the popcorn basket with no popcorn in it. One will realize that there's nothing more in store for the film to show by as early as the 20th minute. While one can understand the dullness of the thematic film, the degree is unbearable and ennui-inducing, with no respite even in the climax. Schwarzenegger is fine. If you are expecting a thrill ride like other popular films in the genre, then Maggie is going straight where the patients in the film go - quarantine. BOTTOM LINE: Maggie is a boring drama that forces its audience to await the metamorphosis of a normal person into a zombie, which by the time results in nothing but the metamorphosis of the viewer himself. Avoid. RATING: 2 stars out of 10. Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES
Credits
Arnold SchwarzeneggerWade Vogel
Abigail BreslinMaggie Vogel
Joely RichardsonCaroline Vogel
Douglas M. GriffinRay
Rachel Whitman GrovesBonnie
Jodie MooreDrVern Kaplan
Bryce RomeroTrent
Raeden GreerAllie
Aiden FlowersBobby Vogel
Pierre-Ange Le Pogam
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