Kiah Roache-Turner (director)
(studio)
18 (certificate)
90 (length)
11 March 2022 (released)
12 March 2022
Wyrmwood: Road of the Dead was released in 2014 so this has been quite a wait for the sequel. You’d expect some sort of summary of what went before. Well other than a few flashbacks newcomers aren’t given very much and are plunged straight into an Australian Outback full of zombies with their toxic breath used for fuelling vehicles and barbies.
The plot, such as it is, has Rhys (Luke McKenzie) working for dubious people picking up zombies for experimentation. Though it does start more in the vein of The Omega Man with Rhy living in a fortified home, breaking out for supplies then blasting and collecting zombies for his clients.
What they are all looking for is a hybrid that could provide a cure or equally provide someone with a source of power. It so happens he stumble on one whom he delivers to Surgeon (Nicholas Boshier). A smack of conscience hits him which sees Rhys join up with Maxi (Shantae Barnes-Cowan) to free her sister who is in the hands of Surgeon. This coincides with return of Brooke (Bianca Brady) and Barry (Jay Gallagher) from the previous film.
Despite newcomers being somewhat out of the loop it won’t be long before the torrents of blood, guts and caked on grime wipe away any confusion and settle down to a very daft and watchable ninety minutes of prime Ozploitation.
Directed by Kiah Roache-Turner who co-wrote this with brother Tristan, it is ludicrous in the extreme with the set pieces and violence going right over the top. This should be quite humorous with audiences revelling in the glorious bad taste of it all and some of the splatter is good fun. The problem is that the cast who are clearly loving it are let down a bit by the gags that don’t work nearly as well as the visuals. Nevertheless if you were a fan of Road of the Dead and eagerly waiting on a sequel, you won’t be disappointed.
Wyrmwood: Apocalypse will get its home entertainment release from 101 Films in May 2022
