Unleashing Arnold Schwarzenegger's Terrifying Performance in This Overlooked Horror Gem

The allure of being an action star may diminish with time, becoming somewhat restrictive. How can an actor truly showcase their skills if they are constantly typecast as someone who merely shoots guns and engages in combat? Arnold Schwarzenegger, widely recognized for his action-packed roles, breaks free from this stereotype in his leading role in the 2015 film Maggie, highlighting his versatility and range as an actor.

In recent decades, the cultural impact of zombies has experienced significant fluctuations. The zombie frenzy dominated popular culture for a few years before facing audience weariness towards the idea. Today, it has settled into a more neutral position in terms of interest. However, 2015 was not a favorable year for the undead.

What Is Maggie About?

Several years after a pandemic caused a large portion of the population to become zombies, the film "Maggie" takes place. The authorities have managed to control the disease to some extent by implementing strict quarantine measures. Farmers are burning their fields to prevent the infection from spreading, while hospitals are heavily guarded. Infected individuals are kept in grim quarantine facilities.

In this setting, Arnold Schwarzenegger plays the role of Wade Vogel, a farmer who ventures into ruined cities to search for his daughter, Maggie. Wade eventually finds Maggie in a quarantined zone, only to discover that she has already been bitten. Her skin becomes pale and her blood turns black, while her infected arm loses sensation. Both Wade and Maggie know that her fate is sealed and that it's just a matter of time.

As Wade grapples with his daughter's deteriorating condition, he encounters other families who have hidden their infected loved ones. A compassionate doctor provides Wade with three options. He can place Maggie in a harsh quarantine facility, where the infected are left to prey on each other. Alternatively, he can administer a drug cocktail to prolong Maggie's life, albeit with intense pain. Lastly, he can bring Maggie home, settle her affairs, and ultimately euthanize her on his own terms.

Wade decides to take Maggie back to their farm, where they try to find moments of happiness amidst the nightmare. Maggie attends parties, reminisces about her late mother, and gradually comes to accept her new reality.

Why Is Maggie Worth Watching?

The main focus of coverage on Maggie centers around Arnold Schwarzenegger's rare venture into a dramatic role, a pleasant surprise from the iconic action star. Maggie effectively showcases how the former Austrian Oak can excel in a serious dramatic film. Schwarzenegger communicates primarily through subtle facial expressions and body language, seldom speaking. This demanding role suits him well. Accompanying him, Abigail Breslin delivers an exceptional performance as Maggie, the core of the film. Breslin skillfully portrays a mix of tremendous strength and heart-wrenching vulnerability. The success of the movie heavily relies on the actors' nuanced character work, as weaker leads would have made it unwatchable.

At its core, Maggie explores the theme of learning to let go. The film maintains an almost unrelentingly somber tone. The families of the infected endure immense suffering in their desperate attempts to hold on to their loved ones. It is a heartbreaking reality to gradually lose someone beloved due to an incurable disease, where the only option is to sit and wait, feeling utterly helpless. However, Maggie's "Necroambulism" virus possesses distinctive traits. The infected not only endure a slow and agonizing death but also become dangerous once they pass away. Additionally, they never truly stay still; some people in dire situations may pretend that their loved ones are still alive and walking among them. It is a grim reality where people must learn to release their loved ones or risk being destroyed alongside them. Wade finds himself having to make the difficult decision of whether he possesses the strength to assist his daughter in dying with dignity.

How Does Maggie End?

As Maggie's condition deteriorates, her humanity slowly slips away. The turning point occurs when she stumbles upon a trapped fox while in the woods. Wade and Maggie's stepmother, Caroline, discover Maggie covered in blood. Tearfully, Maggie confesses that she initially wanted to release the animal but succumbed to her primal instincts upon seeing live prey before her. With the signs becoming increasingly evident, everyone urges Wade to make a decision regarding Maggie's fate.

In a heartfelt gesture, Wade unveils a garden that he has planted in honor of Maggie. She implores him to fulfill her wish. Wade sits with his shotgun resting on his lap, feigning sleep as Maggie nears him. The vitality seems to have drained from her face. Maggie leans in, softly kissing her father's forehead. As Wade loads his gun, Maggie silently walks outside and takes her own life by leaping from the roof. Amid her fading existence, treasured memories of her childhood offer solace.

While not the most original film, Maggie approaches the zombie genre from a fresh perspective. Schwarzenegger and Breslin infuse the haunting narrative with humanity. The film is relentlessly bleak, at times making it a difficult watch. However, the experience is rewarded by an emotionally charged ending with a surprising amount of heart. Fans of Schwarzenegger, zombie movies, or emotionally intense dramas are sure to embrace Maggie.