The Girl with All the Gifts

In a near future, a mysterious fungus has turned most people into mindless, flesh-eating monsters. A scientist and a teacher guard a young girl who seems resistant to the outbreak. Melanie, a bright, observant child, lives inside a fortified facility where she is studied as a possible key to saving humanity. Dr. Caroline Caldwell treats Melanie with clinical detachment, while Helen Justineau, a compassionate educator, argues for mercy toward the girl. Sgt. Eddie Parks and a mixed team accompany them as tensions rise about how to handle the fragile hope they hold. The group confronts hard choices about science, loyalty, and what humanity owes its own children. They must act fast.

Directed by Colm McCarthy and adapted from Mike Carey's novel, The Girl with All the Gifts arrived in theaters in 2016 with a tight budget and a focus on character driven suspense rather than pure gore.

The film has sparked discussion about what counts as humanity when a child seems to be a possible key to survival. Melanie's depicted resilience and the moral gray areas around containment versus care left a mark on genre fans and elevated conversations about ethics in apocalyptic stories. Its use of a child protagonist to probe ethics has sparked discussion about the line between science and mercy.

Critics lauded the performances, especially Sennia Nanua as Melanie and Glenn Close in a chilling, clinical role. Gemma Arterton and Paddy Considine also earned praise for their grounded, humane portrayals. The film balances tense thriller beats with moral questions about loyalty, caregiving, and the limits of what people will do to protect those they love. It treats the infected not just as monsters, but as a mirror for human frailty and resilience.

Box office: With a limited release, the film earned a modest global gross yet managed to attract a dedicated following among sci fi horror fans. Its practical effects and brisk pace helped it punch above its modest budget.