Wyrmwood: Apocalypse

Wyrmwood: Apocalypse

Wyrmwood: Apocalypse (2021), directed by Kiah Roache-Turner and co-written with his brother Tristan Roache-Turner, is a wild, high-octane Australian action-horror sequel to the cult hit Wyrmwood: Road of the Dead (2014). Set in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies, the film delivers a chaotic blend of splatter gore, punk energy, and mad science, drenched in the style of Ozploitation cinema. It’s a brutal, over-the-top thrill ride that plays like Mad Max fused with Resident Evil, and it never apologizes for its excesses.

The film centers on Rhys, a military-style soldier who initially believes he’s working for the greater good. His mission is to capture survivors and deliver them to a deranged scientist, known as the Surgeon General, who is conducting inhumane experiments under the guise of finding a cure. Among the captured is Grace, a hybrid being—part human, part zombie—with extraordinary powers. Rhys believes he is helping humanity, but when confronted by Grace’s sister Maxi and a band of rogue survivors, he begins to question his role and eventually joins the rebellion against the corrupt military-scientific complex.

.

Visually, Wyrmwood: Apocalypse is a feast for fans of gritty, DIY action-horror. The film is packed with fast-paced car chases, flame-throwing rigs, chainsaw duels, and inventive zombie tech—including undead being used as power sources. The Roache-Turner brothers continue their tradition of practical effects and kinetic editing, emphasizing physical gore, explosive action, and gritty set design. It’s a sensory overload, but in the best way possible for fans of grindhouse-style filmmaking.

Performance-wise, Luke McKenzie is solid as Rhys, portraying the transformation from obedient enforcer to reluctant hero. Shantae Barnes-Cowan stands out as Maxi, bringing a raw intensity and emotional depth to the role of a sister willing to fight through hell to save her own. Nicholas Boshier plays the Surgeon General with campy menace, offering a grotesque and theatrical performance that fits perfectly within the film’s exaggerated world.

The film’s tone is unashamedly loud and irreverent. It doesn’t slow down for philosophical reflection but charges full-speed ahead with blood-soaked enthusiasm. The world-building is wild: zombies are controlled with devices, human experimentation is commonplace, and strange mutations add a sci-fi twist to traditional zombie lore. It’s imaginative, darkly funny, and rooted in a punk-rock spirit that reflects its indie roots.

Critically, Wyrmwood: Apocalypse received mostly positive responses. Viewers praised its creativity, high energy, and practical effects, though some found the plot thin and the characters underdeveloped. However, for those who embrace genre films that prioritize style, spectacle, and mayhem over subtlety, the film delivers in spades.

Ultimately, Wyrmwood: Apocalypse is not a film for everyone. It’s niche, aggressive, and deeply committed to its own anarchic vision. But for fans of zombie action, DIY cinema, and wild post-apocalyptic storytelling, it’s a chaotic, blood-soaked joyride that doubles down on the madness of its predecessor—and then some.