Doctor Who star Matt Smith faces viral apocalypse in Patient Zero

Patient Zero type Movie

Patient Zero, a pandemic thriller featuring former Doctor Who star Matt Smith, Game of Thrones’ Natalie Dormer, and Stanley Tucci, sees humanity battling intelligent, adrenaline-fueled creatures born from a viral superstrain. But please don’t use the Z-word.

“The great days of zombies are a little bit over,” says director Stefan Ruzowitzky (Deadfall). “It’s time for something new.”

Plus, the filmmaker says, “the infected,” as they’re called, are “much sexier” than the undead. And they have an agenda: leap-frogging people on the evolutionary ladder.

“They have a lot of energy, they’re fast, they’re good-looking,” he adds. “Not those walking vegetables.” (Ouch. Your move, The Walking Dead).

Patient Zero opens in theaters Sept. 2.