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Action horror film

Patient Zero (2018): Cast, Ratings, Plot & Where to Watch

Patient Zero (2018) movie poster

Patient Zero is a 2018 action horror film directed by Stefan Ruzowitzky, starring Matt Smith as Morgan, Agyness Deyn and Natalie Dormer. It runs 1 hour 33 minutes. Critics gave it 11% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 4.6/10. Stream it on Sony Pictures Core and Tubi TV, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
4.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
11%
Echo Score
38
Patient Zero (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 33m (93 min)
Genres
Action , Sci-Fi , Drama , Horror
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Patient Zero About?

The premise of Patient Zero without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In a world decimated by a lethal virus, humanity is transformed into highly intelligent predators. A man named Joe (Matt Smith) appears immune and becomes central to a desperate search for the origin of the outbreak and a potential cure. Along with a team of survivors, he must confront the infected and unravel the mystery of Patient Zero, while questioning the very definition of what it means to be human.

Patient Zero Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • patient
  • experiment
  • zombie
  • elevator
  • cigarette smoking
  • husband wife relationship
  • open ended
  • female doctor
  • two word title
  • military
  • survivor
  • hunt
+38 more
  • pandemic
  • humanity
  • human
  • creature
  • human flesh
  • science
  • death
  • blood
  • gifted human
  • undead
  • violence
  • predator
  • evolution
  • aggression
  • monster
  • infection
  • language
  • end of the world
  • subterranean
  • underground base
  • tunnel
  • laboratory
  • outbreak
  • general
  • disease
  • rabies
  • search for cure
  • hypodermic needle
  • injection
  • syringe
  • fictional war
  • mutant
  • mutation
  • transformation
  • superhuman strength
  • superhuman speed
  • super strength
  • super speed
Where to watch

Where to Watch Patient Zero

Stream it on Sony Pictures Core and Tubi TV, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Patient Zero Cast & Characters

Matt Smith leads the cast as Morgan, with Agyness Deyn as Janet and Natalie Dormer as Dr. Gina Rose. Directed by Stefan Ruzowitzky; 14 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Patient Zero

· 10 more
Ratings

Patient Zero Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Patient Zero 11% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 4.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 38/100, strongest in story & flow (50) and weakest in rewatch factor (30).

38 /100

Patient Zero Echo Score Breakdown

Patient Zero struggles with uneven execution despite an intriguing premise. The film’s moderate tension and occasional performances are undermined by an incoherent narrative and underdeveloped technical elements. While some viewers find its thematic questions thought-provoking and the cast effortful, the story’s abrupt ending and low-budget production hinder its impact. On balance, the film’s flaws outweigh its sporadic merits, resulting in a disappointing viewing experience that rarely surpasses its underlying concept.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 30

    The film’s technical design suffers from constrained resources and rough execution. In terms of production design and cinematography, the visuals often feel flat and the editing lacks polish. Sound mixing emphasizes abrupt loud noises and camera shakes that distract rather than enhance atmosphere. Overall, the art and craft aspects rarely rise beyond basic functionality.

  • Character & Emotion 45

    When it comes to character and emotion, the cast delivers earnest efforts but is hampered by shallow development. Acting from key players shows commitment, yet the relationships lack depth and emotional resonance. Chemistry between leads is intermittently palpable but never fully realized. Overall, the character dimension remains underexplored and fails to foster lasting attachment.

  • Story & Flow 50

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative begins with promise but quickly succumbs to predictability and pacing issues. The plot’s central premise of a pandemic outbreak offers intrigue, though repetitive sequences and an unresolved conclusion undermine engagement. Dialogue exchanges occasionally spark thoughtful moments, but narrative coherence wanes as loose ends accumulate. Overall, the story struggles to maintain momentum.

  • Sensory Experience 35

    Regarding sensory experience, the film’s audio-visual elements present a mixed impression. The score and sound design resort to sudden loud effects that overshadow atmosphere, while the visual style remains functional but uninspired. Cinematic tension is dampened by rough sound mixing and basic lighting choices. Overall, the sensory execution rarely elevates the material beyond its fundamental components.

  • Rewatch Factor 30

    When it comes to rewatch factor, the film offers limited replay value. Initial intrigue in the premise fails to translate into appreciation on subsequent viewings, as structural flaws and narrative gaps become more pronounced. Moments of concept-driven reflection are insufficient to overcome its deficiencies. Overall, the film is unlikely to invite repeated viewings.

Plot

Patient Zero Plot Summary

What happens in Patient Zero from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In a world devastated by a mutated rabies outbreak, more than 7 billion people are either dead or infected, and bites transmit the disease in a shocking 90 seconds. Morgan [Matt Smith] remains human after a brutal attack while traveling in a car with his wife Janet [Agyness Deyn], yet he retains a rare ability to communicate with the infected. This fragile edge of humanity becomes the thread that could still undo the collapse of civilization.

Full summary

The whole story of Patient Zero, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Patient Zero Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Patient Zero.

Patient Zero Trailer - On Digital 8/14, In Theaters 9/14
Cars

Cars in Patient Zero

4 cars on screen, including the 1988 Chevrolet Caprice and the unknown.

  • 1988 Chevrolet Caprice in Patient Zero 1988 Chevrolet Caprice Minor role
  • unknown in Patient Zero unknown Minor role
  • AM General M-923 in Patient Zero AM General M-923 Background role
  • 2005 Volkswagen Jetta A5 Typ 1K in Patient Zero 2005 Volkswagen Jetta A5 Typ 1K Background role
Details

Patient Zero Also Known As

22 alternative titles, including “Patient Zero: A Origem do Vírus” and “零号病人”.

Also known as
  • Patient Zero: A Origem do Vírus
  • 零号病人
  • 零號病人
  • Patient Zéro
  • Paziente zero
  • Paciente Zero: A Origem Do Vírus
  • Paciente cero
  • Pacjent zero
  • Пациент 0
  • Пациент Зеро
  • 페이션트 제로
  • Nulles pacients
+10 more
  • Zéró páciens
  • חולה אפס
  • Пацієнт Зеро
  • Paciente Zero
  • 零號帶原者
  • インフェクテッドZ
  • Nakazení: Pacient nula
  • Pirmasis ligonis
  • Pacient ničla
  • ไวรัสพันธุ์นรก

Seen Patient Zero?

FAQ

Patient Zero FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, ratings and post-credit scenes of Patient Zero, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Patient Zero?

Patient Zero runs 1 hour 33 minutes (93 minutes).

When was Patient Zero released?

Patient Zero was released on September 14, 2018.

Who directed Patient Zero?

Patient Zero was directed by Stefan Ruzowitzky.

More films by Stefan Ruzowitzky

Who is in the cast of Patient Zero?

Patient Zero stars Matt Smith as Morgan, Agyness Deyn as Janet and Natalie Dormer as Dr. Gina Rose, among 14 credited actors.

Where can I watch Patient Zero?

In the US, Patient Zero is streaming on Sony Pictures Core and Tubi TV and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How is Patient Zero rated?

Patient Zero has 4.6/10 on IMDb, 11% on Rotten Tomatoes, 52% on TMDB and 2.1/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Patient Zero have a post-credit scene?

No. Patient Zero has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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