Stalled
Stalled is a 2013 British zombie comedy horror film directed by Christian James and written by and starring Dan Palmer as the protagonist, a janitor named W.C. who becomes trapped in a women's restroom stall during a zombie outbreak at an office Christmas party.[1] The film follows W.C. as he navigates the confined space, communicates via walkie-talkie with a surviving office worker named Heather (voiced by Antonia Bernath), and attempts to survive the undead horde while uncovering the outbreak's origins tied to a corporate experiment gone wrong.[2] Produced by Cubicle Hero, Stalled premiered at the Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival on July 19, 2013, followed by its UK debut at the Film4 FrightFest on August 24, 2013, and received a limited US theatrical release on March 25, 2014.[3] The movie blends elements of zombie horror with dark humor, drawing comparisons to low-budget confined-space thrillers like Phone Booth but set against a festive holiday backdrop that amplifies the irony of the chaos.[2] With a runtime of 84 minutes, it features a minimal cast including Tamaryn Payne as another survivor and emphasizes tension through its single-location setting, relying on practical effects for the zombie makeup and attacks.[1] Critically, Stalled holds a 29% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 31 reviews, with praise for its inventive premise and Palmer's committed performance but criticism for pacing issues and predictable tropes.[2] On IMDb, it scores 4.7 out of 10 from over 2,200 user ratings, appealing primarily to fans of British independent horror and zombie subgenre entries.[1]Story and characters
Plot
Stalled is set on Christmas Eve in a multi-story office building, where W.C., a janitor performing routine maintenance duties, finds himself locked inside a stall in the women's restroom just as a zombie outbreak engulfs the premises during the company's holiday party.[1][2][4] Initially bewildered by distant screams and banging sounds, W.C. pieces together the horror unfolding outside through distant screams, banging sounds, and the building's intercom system, which he was repairing, confirming that infected colleagues have turned into ravenous zombies rampaging through the floors.[1][5] Isolated in the cramped bathroom with scant supplies, he faces mounting threats as undead assailants claw at the stall door, forcing him to improvise defenses using everyday items like cleaning tools and office debris.[4][2] Throughout the ordeal, W.C. primarily communicates with Heather, trapped in an adjacent stall, sporadically with other survivors beyond the door, heightening the tension in his confined space while the story weaves claustrophobic dread with dark humor derived from his resourceful yet absurd survival tactics, all underscored by the grim irony of festive decorations amid the apocalypse.[1][5][6][7]Cast
The principal cast of Stalled (2013) features Dan Palmer in the lead role of W.C., a hapless but resourceful maintenance man isolated in a restroom stall during a crisis.[1] Palmer also served as the film's screenwriter, underscoring his central creative involvement.[8] Supporting roles include Mark Holden as Jeff from I.T., a tech-savvy survivor ally who aids in navigating the unfolding events.[8] Antonia Bernath portrays Heather, an office worker trapped nearby and providing companionship through dialogue.[8] Additional supporting performers include Tamaryn Payne as Evie, another office colleague entangled in the survival scenario; Chris R. Wright as Mikey, another survivor contributing to defensive efforts; Marcus Kelly as Charlie, a fellow survivor; and Russell Biles in a zombie role among the infected antagonists.[9] These characters function primarily as foils to W.C.'s predicament, representing various facets of office life turned chaotic.[2]| Actor | Role | Character Function |
|---|---|---|
| Dan Palmer | W.C. | Protagonist janitor, resourceful in isolation |
| Mark Holden | Jeff from I.T. | Survivor ally with technical expertise |
| Antonia Bernath | Heather | Office worker offering verbal support |
| Tamaryn Payne | Evie | Colleague involved in survival dynamics |
| Chris R. Wright | Mikey | Another survivor contributing to defensive efforts |
| Marcus Kelly | Charlie | Additional survivor in the group |
| Russell Biles | Zombie | Antagonist in the infected horde |