Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End – Explained: What Happens to Manel and His Family?

Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End is a Spanish thriller directed by Carles Torrens, available on Amazon Prime Video. The film explores the harrowing journey of Manel, a lawyer trying to survive the zombie apocalypse.

In the film’s dramatic conclusion, Manel faces multiple obstacles as he fights to reunite with his sister Belén on the Canary Islands.

However, the hope of finding safety is shattered when he receives unsettling news about the island’s fate. Here’s a detailed explanation of the film’s ending and the fate of its characters.

Who is Ushakov? The Villain Behind Sálvora Island’s Dark Kingdom

Ushakov, the menacing captain of a Ukrainian crew, plays a pivotal role in Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End. After Manel and his cat, Lúculo, are stranded at sea, they are rescued by Ushakov and his gang of survivors. Although the crew initially appears to offer Manel safety, their true intentions are far from benevolent.

Ushakov has established himself as a “king” on Sálvora Island, where he rules over a community of survivors. His leadership is not motivated by compassion but by a ruthless thirst for power. He forces survivors into servitude and has no qualms about killing those who are no longer useful. Ushakov’s authoritarian rule becomes a major obstacle for Manel, unwilling to join the captain’s tyrannical regime.

How Do Manel and Lúculo Survive the Apocalypse?

Manel’s survival journey takes a dramatic turn as he escapes Ushakov’s clutches with the help of Viktor Pritchenko, one of Ushakov’s former allies.

Together, they search for a way to escape the mainland and reach the safety of the Canary Islands. Their escape plans hit several snags, but they eventually find refuge in a hospital where Manel’s wife died a year earlier.

Manel meets a group of survivors inside the hospital, including Lucia, Cecilia, and children Max, Iris, and Leila. These strangers offer him shelter, food, and medical help, giving Manel hope when he feels most hopeless.

Pritchenko, too, risks his life to aid Manel in escaping the dangers of the mainland, showing that kindness and selflessness can overcome the cruelty of the apocalypse.

Despite facing numerous threats, including zombies and the deadly actions of Ushakov’s men, Manel and Lúculo continue to survive through the compassion of others. The kindness of Lucia, Cecilia, and Pritchenko proves crucial to their survival as they all work together to secure a helicopter and escape the chaos.

The Heartbreaking Twist: What Happens in the Canary Islands?

After surviving the horrors of the mainland, Manel sets his sights on the Canary Islands as a haven for him and his remaining companions. Belén, his sister, has been sending him video messages, assuring him that the island is safe. This message strengthens Manel’s resolve to reunite with her and escape the dangers of the zombie-infested mainland.

However, as Manel gets closer to the Canary Islands, he receives a cryptic phone call from Belén. In a panic, she warns Manel not to come, implying that the safety of the islands has been compromised. This revelation casts doubt on the fate of the Canary Islands and the safety Manel believed awaited him.

Why Does Belén Ask Manel Not to Come to the Canary Islands?

Belén’s distressing phone call suggests that the Canary Islands have fallen to the zombie outbreak. While Manel had hoped to reunite with her and escape the apocalypse, Belén’s message indicates that the island has become another dangerous place, possibly overrun with zombies.

The idea that the virus has breached the islands raises the possibility that Belén and her family are no longer safe.

Another theory suggests that a military dictatorship may have taken control of the islands, leading to the shooting of vulnerable survivors—much like Ushakov’s cruel leadership on Sálvora Island.

However, this seems unlikely since Belén’s husband, Mario, is a soldier, and she would likely have some protection under such a regime. Regardless, the dire tone of her message suggests the worst: the islands are no longer a refuge.

Are Belén and Her Family Dead or Alive?

Belén’s fate remains uncertain by the end of Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End. Her distressing call to Manel hints at the grave danger she and her family are facing.

The zombie virus may have already overrun the Canary Islands, leaving Belén and her family in mortal danger. Her cryptic message, coupled with the lack of cellular service on the islands, suggests that she may be calling from a place of great distress, possibly surrounded by death and chaos.

Given the urgency in her voice, it seems likely that Belén and her family may have already perished. However, since Manel is determined to find out the truth, his journey to the Canary Islands is not just about escaping the apocalypse but also about seeking closure regarding his sister’s fate.

Whether Belén survives the outbreak or falls victim to the zombies remains a crucial question that leaves the film’s ending open-ended.

Conclusion: The Final Fate of Manel and His Family

The ending of Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End leaves viewers uncertain about the future. Manel’s journey, fueled by his desire to reunite with his sister Belén, ultimately reveals the brutal truth that safety may be unattainable in this post-apocalyptic world. Whether he succeeds in reaching the Canary Islands or is too late to save Belén remains a tragic mystery.

The film explores themes of survival, the cruelty of human nature, and the sacrifices people are willing to make for others.

Manel’s survival is not just a matter of escaping the zombies but also finding humanity in the face of disaster. The kindness of strangers offers him the strength to continue, but the ultimate question remains: will he find his family, or will he be too late to save them from the horror that has engulfed the world?

About Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End

Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End (Spanish: Apocalipsis Z: El principio del fin) is a 2024 Spanish zombie action thriller film directed by Carles Torrens from a screenplay by Ángel Agudo based on the novel by Manel Loureiro and starring Francisco Ortiz.

Its plot deals with the protagonist’s efforts to rejoin his family while the outbreak of a global pandemic begins to turn infected people into aggressive creatures.

The film had its world premiere at the 57th Sitges Film Festival on 5 October 2024, ahead of its 31 October 2024 streaming debut on Amazon Prime Video.