Cargo
Performance & Direction: Cargo Review
Last updated: February 17, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Cargo (2017) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.4/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Cargo features a noteworthy lineup led by Martin Freeman . Supported by the likes of Simone Landers and Anthony Hayes , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Cargo
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2017, Cargo is a Drama, Thriller, Horror film directed by Ben Howling. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Martin Freeman.
Story Breakdown
This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. After being infected in the wake of a violent pandemic and with only 48 hours to live, a father struggles to find a new home for his baby daughter. The screenplay takes time to develop Martin Freeman's journey, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with their struggles and triumphs. Each scene builds upon the last, creating a cumulative emotional impact.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: We meet the main character in their ordinary world, establishing the emotional baseline before the inciting incident disrupts their life.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Martin Freeman's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The emotional climax brings character arcs to their natural conclusion, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's core themes.
Ending Explained: Cargo
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Ben Howling, Cargo concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes involving Martin Freeman, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Cargo reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Cargo?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Martin Freeman or the director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Box Office Collection: Cargo
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Worldwide Gross | $56.4K |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Top Cast: Cargo
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Where to Watch Cargo Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
NetflixCargo Parents Guide & Age Rating
2017 AdvisoryWondering about Cargo age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Cargo is 105 minutes (1h 45m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.4/10, and global performance metrics, Cargo is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2017 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cargo worth watching?
Cargo is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6.4/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Cargo parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Cargo identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Cargo?
The total duration of Cargo is 105 minutes, which is approximately 1h 45m long.
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Critic Reviews for Cargo
Bit disappointed by this film. I saw the amazing short that was the basis for this film a few years ago, and it packed more punch in 7 minutes than this version packs in 105 minutes. Everyone does their job well, the acting is uniformly good, the cinematography and setting are great. The problem is, the story is too thin and lacks depth. There are a couple of interesting ideas, the 48 hour time-line of the infection, the wrist bands counting down the 48 hours. But the padding of the plot feels forced and ultimately unnecessary. Everything could have been and probably should have been wrapped up in a much shorter time frame, and that is why the short film worked so well. All in all, it was a good enough film, but considering the source it should have been amazing. 6/10
Had kind of hoped for more, but this is okay. _Cargo_ isn't **exactly** like any other zombie deal out there though, so if your demands are low enough, there's some value. Final rating:★★½ - Had a lot that appealed to me, didn’t quite work as a whole.
Bad watch, might watch again, and can recommend for survival / zombie fans. I'm not a big fan of Martin Freeman, but he's a decent actor, and boy do you get a lot of him. Anthony Hayes makes a decent villain, but Caren Pistorius doesn't get much else to do other than "be pretty". Susie Porter and Simone Landers give great performances, but they feel terribly underplayed, maybe because they almost share a role. It feels like most of the time the actors weren't on board with the movie, they were there, they showed up and read their lines, but there aren't a lot of scenes that feel big. Honestly it really drags on, not only are you dealing with the isolationist effect of being in wide stretches of wilderness, but even when they get where they're going, there is nothing, and they do almost nothing, a lot. With one of the main characters being a baby, there just isn't a lot of dialogue happening, and the key interactions we get are heavy philosophical moments, far too centered on human rights for the majority. It's not that the movie is "bad", and ultimately I like it for the survivor's story, it's that it's mostly empty. There is a version of this story that you could do as a twilight episode and it would probably be better because you have to make every moment count, where this seems to be filling the run time.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
