“Apocalypse Z: New World,” directed by Carles Torrens, is the second installment in a Spanish zombie film series adapted from Manel Loureiro’s novels. The 96-minute film is available for streaming on Prime Video and can be viewed independently of its 2024 predecessor, “Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End.”
Set in the aftermath of a global viral outbreak that transforms infected individuals into relentless zombie hordes, the story shifts its focus to the Canary Islands, described in the opening title cards as “Europe’s last refuge.” The narrative centers on Roberto (Carlos Alcaide), the son of a politician whose earlier negligence is implicated in the initial spread of the virus. Though the quarantine on the islands has largely failed, Roberto remains in relative safety under an unstable government that has mobilized civilians, including him, to assist in ongoing military efforts.
Roberto allies with Pritchenko (José María Yazpik), a returning character who now operates as a black-market dealer. Through Pritchenko, Roberto joins a mission to Madrid, where Special Forces plan to secure supplies stored in an isolated airfield complex. Amid the operation, Roberto is tasked with smuggling medication to support Pritchenko’s illicit activities.
Upon arrival in Madrid, the film delivers an extended action sequence featuring continuous confrontations between zombies and survivors. These encounters—zombies chasing humans through urban streets and stairwells, followed by repeated gunfire—form the core of the film’s tension, evoking visual and thematic parallels to certain Iraq war movies. Beyond the immediate conflict, the story includes subtle references to broader social issues, such as European migration, and hints at a wider world through moments like the discovery of dial-up internet at a terminal.
The film culminates in a climactic confrontation set in a bullfighting ring, providing a confined and intense stage for the final sequence. While the runtime is relatively concise and the pacing brisk, “Apocalypse Z: New World” has been noted for adhering closely to genre conventions without significant innovation or narrative depth. The film’s lean approach delivers action efficiently but falls short of offering fresh inspiration within the crowded zombie genre.