WFG RATING: A-

Vertical Entertainment presents a WolfePride Productions film in association with SilverCrest Entertainment. Directed by Jeff Wolfe. Produced by Jeff Wolfe, Jennifer Wolfe, and Kevin Matossian. Written by Lance Ochsner and Jeff Wolfe; story by Wolfe, Ochsner, and Erik Aude. Cinematography by Cary Lalonde. Edited by Arman Tahmizyan.

Stars Billy Burke, Alyshia Ochse, Taylor Handley, and Raoul Trujillo. 

Actor and stuntman Jeff Wolfe makes his feature film directorial debut with this really fascinating dramatic film set around a zombie apocalypse. 

Neil Morris is a park ranger who has been grieving over the disappearance of his son Ben. To make matters worse, a virus has hit the area that has caused those infected to turn into zombies. When during an excursion with his supervisor Mike Cortez, an infected dog bites Mike and despite Neil wanting to make sure Mike is okay, Mike insists on just leaving it. However, Mike’s daughter insists he goes to the hospital.

The disappearance of Ben has taken its toll on both Neil and his wife Abby. Abby is convinced that Ben is still out there and alive. Neil is convinced Ben is dead. However, when more infected people show up in the area, the two must set aside their differences and evade the horse no matter what it takes. However, Neil must grapple with both the zombies and the grief he has been contending for so long. Will he be able to overcome it all and survive?

If you are unfamiliar with the name Jeff Wolfe, here’s a bit on him. In the 1990s, he made quite an impact as an actor and stuntman. His expertise in martial arts led him to appear in Tsui Hark’s Once Upon a Time in China and America and appeared in other films such as Champions, Bloodsport II, and Black Cobra. He would go on to begin work behind the cameras as a stunt coordinator and then a director of short films and television. This film marks his feature film directorial debut and it’s a good one here.

Twilight’s Billy Burke gives a great performance as Neil, who grapples with grief while dealing with the events around him involving his son and its effect on his marriage. While his wife Abby, played by a very good Alyshia Ochse, is convinced he is still alive. However, Neil tends to be more realistic and is convinced he’s either gone or dead. This causes a lot of tension between the two especially when they have to evade the zombies.

Raoul Trujillo and Taylor Handley pull in some great supporting performances as Chief Mike  Cortez and the sometimes bumbling deputy John “Gib” Gibson. Cortez tends to avoid a possible issue in the opening scene of the film while Gibson will go to any lengths to help Neil when it comes to finding him in the midst of the apocalypse. A twist in the third act comes that is completely jaw-dropping and unexpected but a damn good one at that.

It’s always great to see filmmakers try something new when it comes to audiences getting used to them doing a certain genre. And Jeff Wolfe, a veteran of the genre, pulls it off nicely with meshing zombie horror and psychological thriller with Outbreak. Heightened by the performances of the cast, it’s definitely worth checking out.