Redcon-1
Redcon-1 is a 2018 British action horror film directed by Chee Keong Cheung and co-written by Cheung, Steve Horvath, and Mark Strange.[1][2] The film stars Oris Erhuero as Captain Marcus Stanton, Carlos Gallardo as Sergeant Frederick Reeves, Mark Strange as Lieutenant Frank Perez, and Martyn Ford as Corporal Jacob Gallagher.[3] Set in a dystopian near-future, it follows an elite multinational special forces team tasked with infiltrating a heavily guarded quarantine zone in London during a zombie apocalypse to rescue Dr. Julian Raynes, a scientist who holds the key to a cure for the viral outbreak that originated in a prison.[1][2] The story begins with the rapid spread of a virus from a London correctional facility, overwhelming the city and prompting a military quarantine that isolates the infected area.[4] As the virus threatens to engulf the entire United Kingdom, the squad—comprising British and American operatives—faces hordes of mutated zombies, internal conflicts, and betrayal while navigating the ruins of the capital in a high-stakes extraction mission.[4] Filmed primarily in Glasgow, Scotland, the production emphasizes practical effects and intense action sequences, drawing comparisons to films like 28 Days Later for its gritty, fast-paced zombie horror.[4] Redcon-1 premiered at the Raindance Film Festival on September 27, 2018, and was released theatrically in the United Kingdom on September 28, 2018, before receiving a limited theatrical release in the United States on May 3, 2019.[5] The film runs for 115 minutes and was distributed by 101 Films in the UK and Epic Pictures Group internationally.[1][6] Upon release, it garnered mixed to negative critical reception, with a 36% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 11 reviews, praising its enthusiastic action and creative zombie designs but criticizing its convoluted plot and pacing issues.[1] It holds an average user rating of 3.8 out of 10 on IMDb from over 3,800 votes, reflecting audience appreciation for the gore and fight scenes amid complaints about dialogue and character development.[2]Synopsis
Plot
In Britain, a highly contagious virus escapes from a high-security prison in London, rapidly spreading across the country and turning infected individuals into aggressive zombies. The outbreak overwhelms the nation, leading to the establishment of a heavily fortified quarantine zone in southern England to contain the threat, while the rest of the world watches in horror.[7][8] To combat the pandemic, a joint British-American Special Forces team is assembled for a high-risk extraction mission deep into the quarantine zone. Led by Captain Marcus Stanton, the squad includes Sgt. Kira Paige, a skilled combat expert; Lt. Frank Perez, a tactical specialist with conflicting loyalties; Sgt. Frederick Reeves, focused on minimizing casualties; and other members such as Pvt. Perry Bernstein, Cpl. Jacob Gallagher, Lt. Simon Lau, and Lt. Rodrigo Gonzalez. Their objective is to rescue Dr. Julian Raynes, a virologist believed to be working on a potential cure, within a strict 72-hour window before the zone is obliterated by airstrikes.[3][9] As the team advances through the devastated urban landscape, they encounter zombies that deviate from typical undead tropes: the infected retain their human intelligence, tactical awareness, and combat abilities, allowing them to wield weapons, coordinate attacks, and form a structured "army" that ambushes the soldiers with precision. This revelation heightens the danger, turning routine skirmishes into intense, hand-to-hand battles and forcing the team to adapt their strategies amid mounting losses. The 115-minute film paces these action sequences with relentless momentum, interspersing horror elements like graphic infections and moral dilemmas over killing potentially sentient foes.[7][4] Deeper into the zone, the squad discovers evidence of a military conspiracy: elements within the British and American commands had initially developed the virus as a bioweapon to create enhanced soldiers, but it mutated beyond control, prompting the cover-up and the current eradication plan. Internal betrayals fracture the team, with Perez's actions revealing his alignment with the conspirators who prioritize weaponizing the virus over containment. Amid the chaos, they encounter Alicia Rowan, a young survivor who proves immune to the infection, offering a breakthrough for a cure based on her blood—though extracting her becomes another perilous objective.[9][10] The narrative builds to climactic confrontations, including a large-scale assault by the intelligent zombie forces and final showdowns exposing loyalties, resulting in heavy casualties but a partial victory: Raynes and Alicia are secured, providing hope for a vaccine, though the conspiracy's full scope lingers unresolved. The film's structure emphasizes themes of betrayal, survival ethics, and the blurred line between human and monster, culminating in a tense extraction under fire.[7][4]Cast
The principal cast of Redcon-1 consists of an international ensemble portraying an elite squad of soldiers tasked with infiltrating a zombie-infested quarantine zone. The film emphasizes actors with martial arts and action backgrounds to enhance the high-octane combat sequences.| Actor | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Katarina Waters | Sgt. Kira Paige | Tough British sergeant specializing in tactical leadership and close-quarters combat. |
| Mark Strange | Lt. Frank Perez | American lieutenant serving as a tactical specialist with conflicting loyalties and extensive field experience. |
| Carlos Gallardo | Sgt. Frederick Reeves | Sergeant focused on minimizing casualties and serving as the team's moral compass. |
| Akira Koieyama | Lt. Simon Lau | Martial artist providing hand-to-hand expertise and reconnaissance skills. |
| Oris Erhuero | Capt. Marcus Stanton | Commanding officer overseeing the mission's high-risk objectives. |
| Martyn Ford | Cpl. Jacob Gallagher | Physically imposing soldier focused on heavy weaponry and brute force. |
| Joshua Dickinson | Pvt. Perry Bernstein | Young recruit bringing fresh perspective and adaptability to the group. |
| Michael Sheehan | Lt. Rodrigo Gonzalez | Allied officer contributing logistical support and alliances. |
| Douglas Russell | Ivan Gavric | Antagonist figure representing opposition within the chaotic environment. |