Warning! This post contains spoilers for Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End.

Manel manages to save the day in Prime Video's Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End's ending, but before the movie's end credits start rolling, a grim twist introduces new challenges for the heroic character. Directed by Carles Torrens, Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End is based on Manel Loureiro's novel of the same name. The movie walks through a typical zombie apocalypse saga where a man finds himself in the middle of a zombie apocalypse, where he must survive many odds to save himself and the friends he makes along the way.

Amazon Prime Video zombie movie also introduces a massive cliffhanger which perfectly paves the way for a sequel.

Why Belen Stops Manel From Coming To The Canary Islands In Apocalypse Z's Ending

The Islands Are Seemingly Not As Safe As Manel Was Told

In Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End's opening arc, Manel learns that all the survivors are gathering at the Arousa Estuary and planning to go to the Canary Islands. Although Gabriella initially promises to accompany him to the safe haven, Manel is forced to go alone after she dies. In the movie's ending moments, Manel and his new friends manage to defy all odds to get their hands on a helicopter that can take them to the islands. To Manel's relief, even his phone receives a signal as soon as their chopper rises above the ground, allowing him to receive a call from his sister, Belen.

However, to his dismay, Belen warns him to stay away from the Canary Islands as soon as he informs her he is heading there. Although Manel tries to ask her what is happening, Belen panics and only tells him not to visit the location. Her reaction suggests that the location is not safe anymore, and the virus outbreak has somehow reached the islands as well. Before Manel can figure out what is happening, two fighter jets zoom past the chopper, hinting that an airstrike has been planned on all zombie-ridden areas — including the Canary Islands — to contain the virus.

The TZ Virus & How It Started The Zombie Apocalypse In Apocalypse Z Explained

The Virus' Origins Remained Unknown

Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End never delves into the details of what started the zombie apocalypse. In its initial moments, it walks through how Manel lost his wife in a car accident. Its storyline then jumps ahead in time where Manel struggles to accept his wife's death while a virus outbreak gradually spreads across the globe. The movie's story only suggests that it is set in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the central virus that turns humans into zombies was likely created in a lab and used as a biological weapon to kill many humans.

Manel and other survivors avoid getting infected by the virus by ensuring the infected individuals bite them. This suggests the virus is not airborne and can only spread through direct with bodily fluids. Amazon Prime horror movie's depiction is not too far from the traditional zombie genre.

What Ushakov & His Men Wanted From Manel & Other Survivors

The Ukrainians Cared Little About Helping Other Survivors

While sailing alone across the sea, Manel runs into a group of Ukrainians who welcome him to his ship. They offer him a room on their boat and, in return, expect him to guide him to guide him to places in the city where they can find food and other useful resources. Manel accepts their offer and agrees to help them until he starts noticing something is wrong. After his first day on the ship, he realizes that Ushakov and his crew rescue many lost survivors from the sea, but none can be found on board.

Before landing on Amazon Prime Video, Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End premiered at the 57th Sitges Film Festival on 5 October 2024.

He later heads to one of the lower decks of the ship and finds a group of survivors tied up in a holding area. This helps him realize that the Ukranians do not intend to help other survivors. Their sole purpose is to capture and exploit them for their own benefit. Even before Manel's arrival, Victor knew what Ushakov and his men were trying to do. However, to ensure his own and Manel's survival, he did not tell Manel about their true motives. Fortunately, for him, Manel helps him escape the ship before the Ukrainians can harm them.

How Much Of Manel Loureiro's Apocalypse Z Book Series Does The Spanish Movie Adapt

Manel Loureiro Wrote An Apocalypse Z Book Trilogy

Manel Loureiro has written three books in the Apocalypse Z series:

• Apocalypse Z #1: The Beginning of the End
• Apocalypse Z #2: Dark Days
• Apocalypse Z #3: The Wrath of the Just

As its title suggests, the movie only adapts the first novel in Manel Loureiro's Apocalypse Z trilogy. Like the first book in the trilogy, Amazon's Apocalypse: The Beginning of the End primarily revolves around the spread of the zombie virus and the fall of humanity. Similar to the book, it also shows how the pandemic gives the main character, Manel, the opportunity to finally overcome the grief of losing his wife in a tragic car accident. However, given that there are two more books in the trilogy, there is enough source material content to follow up the Amazon movie with two more sequels.

How Apocalypse Z's Ending Sets Up A Sequel

The Movie's Ending Paves The Way For A Darker Followup

Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End's ending suggests that Manel and the crew will have to head to the Canary Islands and save Manel's family before they get infected, or an air strike kills them. Since the movie only adapts the first book from Manel Loureiro's trilogy, the second movie will likely follow the events of the second novel and unfold how the virus will spread across the globe. Apart from following Manel's rescue mission for his sister, Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End's sequel could also explore the origins of the virus and reveal which nation created the biological weapon.