Before The Last of Us, another story that explores the innate zombie apocalypse

Both “The Last of Us” and “The Girl with All the Gifts” focus on a young girl with a crucial genetic destiny. In The Last of Us, this is Ellie (Ashley Johnson in the games, Bella Ramsay in the show), who is naturally immune to fungal infections. In Carrie’s story, the “girl with all the gifts” is Melanie (played in the film by Senia Nanua). Melanie is injured but retains higher brain functions and a human personality, unlike the usual “hungry”. Both Melanie and Eli are targeted by scientists trying to make a vaccine.

“The Girl with All the Gifts” ends very differently than “The Last of Us.” Melanie is not immune because of a mutation but because she is part of the hungry second generation. Infected parents pass the fungus on to their children, but their children are born with some natural immunity. They’re not quite human, but they’re not as mindless and brutal as the people they infected later in life either. Since there is no way to make a vaccine, the only option is to let the plague run its course until everyone is infected, and then build a new civilization from there.

The story ends with Melanie unleashing infectious germs across the world. The title “The Girl with All the Gifts” refers to the Greek myth of Pandora (which is referenced in the book and film). Pandora was the first human woman to open a box filled with the evil that has afflicted humanity. This ending, of course, is Melanie opening Pandora’s box, unleashing a different kind of infection on humanity. In the final scene, Melanie and her teacher, Mrs. Justineau (Gemma Arterton), work together to teach the affected children how to be human. It’s a hopeful ending, but it cuts off any chance of a return to the pre-apocalyptic world.

In addition to his prose novels, Curry is a prolific writer of picture books. The theme of his story of human evolution, and a new generation of mutants inheriting the Earth, takes on a new light when you learn it was once written An underrated run in “X-Men.”

Carey’s latest (and excellent) book, “It was Willem once.” It’s another kind of zombie story as well. In 12th century England, a poor village family makes a deal with a wizard to bring their dead son, William, back to life. But the resulting product is nothing but a bizarre replica, clearly inhuman in appearance – hence its adopted name, Once upon a time it was Willem. A medieval folk-horror film, “Once Was Willem” is essential reading for any Carey fan, just as “The Girl with All the Gifts” will excite any fans of “The Last of Us.”

“The Girl with All the Gifts” is broadcast on Tubi Channel.