After its Cannes film market premiere last year (2016), Saban Films picked up USA distribution rights to the British post-apocalyptic Thriller “The Girl with All the Gifts,” directed by Colm McCarthy (“Peaky Blinders,” “Sherlock”), adapted by M.R. Carey from his own novel of the same title.
Produced by Camille Gatin and Angus Lamont, the story is set in the near future, when humanity has been all but destroyed by a disease that eradicates free will and turns its victims into flesh-eating “hungries.” Only a small group of children seem immune to its effects. At an army base in rural England, this group of unique children are being studied, subjected to cruel experiments by biologist Dr. Caldwell. Despite having been infected with the zombie pathogen that has decimated the world, these children retain normal thoughts and emotions. And while still being subject to the craving for human flesh that marks the disease, these second-generation “hungries” are able to think and feel, making them a vital resource in the search for a cure. But one little girl, named Melanie, stands out from the rest. Melanie is “special.” She excels in the classroom, is inquisitive, imaginative and loves her favorite teacher Miss Justineau. When the base falls to the “hungries,” Melanie escapes along with Miss Justineau, Sergeant Parks and Dr. Caldwell. Against the backdrop of a blighted Britain, Melanie must discover what she is and ultimately decide both her own future and that of the human race.
The film stars Gemma Arterton, Paddy Considine, Glenn Close, and 12-year-old Sennia Nanua, in a breakthrough performance, as Melanie.
“Carey has adapted his novel into a film with an unmatched level of cataclysm,” said Saban Films’ Bill Bromiley in a previous statement. “’The Girl with All the Gifts’ is a sophisticated movie, with McCarthy’s vision and this dynamic cast, and we know that our audiences will be hooked from start to finish.”
Director Colm McCarthy said of casting Sennia Nanua: “Sennia walked into the room as the last of 500 girls I’d met and just shone. She has taken being the lead actress in a film with Glenn, Gemma and Paddy in her stride and completely inhabits this amazing character. She’s a very special girl.”
The BFI (British Film Institute) and Creative England financed the film.
It already opened in the UK (September 2016); for USA audiences, announced today, “The Girl with All the Gifts” will open in select theaters nationwide on Friday, February 24, 2017 including:
— Laemmle NoHo, Los Angeles
— Village East, New York
— Screenland Tapcode, Kansas City
— AMC Gulf Pointe, Houston
— AMC Neshaminy, Philadelphia
— AMC Arizona Center, Phoenix
— AMC Woodridge, Chicago
— AMC Southfield, Detroit
— AMC Southcenter, Seattle
— AMC Westminster, Denver
Today’s announcement is accompanied by a brand new poster (above) as well as a clip from the film, which is embedded below, followed by the previously released USA trailer:
And here’s the full trailer:
