Danny Boyle’s28 Days Laterhelped revolutionize the zombie genre for a new generation and kickstarted an era of clever tales of the undead that turned the genre’s conventions on their head. While the gritty and realistic world seen in the post-apocalyptic landscapes of28 Days Laterled to many more darkly serious zombie movies throughout the 2000s and beyond, there were also plenty of uniquely hilarious zombie comedies that deconstructed the conventions of this style of filmmaking. Fromfast-moving zombienightmares to self-referential, tongue-in-cheek creatures, the genre has had many creative releases in recent years.
Many ofthe best zombie moviesever made played with genre conventions and added something new to the style. With zombies often acting as smart metaphors for real-world issues, it’s fascinating how clever writers, directors, and actors have been able to provide aunique spin on well-worn stories of post-apocalyptic worlds and survivors seeking refuge. With equal parts horror and humor, unconventional zombie stories keep the genre fresh and maintain its infectious satirical bite.
28 Days Later
Cast
28 Days Later depicts a post-apocalyptic Britain devastated by a virulent outbreak. Directed by Danny Boyle, it follows a group of London survivors as they navigate the chaos caused by a rapidly spreading virus, transmitted by humans and animals, that transforms the infected into dangerous beings. Released in 2002.
With the widespread popularity of intense franchises likeThe Walking Dead, it’s easy to underestimate just how impactful28 Days Laterwas when it was first released in 2002. This post-apocalyptic story helped reinvigorate the zombie genre for the 21st century and led to a major revival that’s had ripple effects right up to modern times. With faster zombies and a gritty, realistic environment,28 Days Latermoved away from the more comedic stylings of the genre and made zombies truly scary again.
28 Days Laterwas unconventional because it took the very plausible circumstances of a highly contagious, aggression-inducing virus and showcased how society could crumble and break down under the right circumstances. By placing importance on character development over outrageous gore, the agile, relentless, and aggressive nature of the infected became all the more terrifying. Featuring infected humans rather than totally mindless undead,28 Days Lateralso injected humanity into the genre, which made all the death and murder on display all the more heartbreaking.
The Dead Don’t Die
The Dead Don’t Die is a horror comedy released in 2019, directed by Jim Jarmusch. The Dead Don’t Die focuses on a small town in Centerville that struggles to battle off hordes of zombies after the dead come back to life. The film has a star-studded cast, including Bill Murray, Adam Driver, Tilda Swinton, Steve Buscemi, and Danny Glover.
Auteur director Jim Jarmusch has always had a totally individualistic style. He was at the forefront of independent cinema during the 1980s and made minimalist films that skewed normal narrative conventions. By looking at America through an unconventional lens, Jarmusch provided his own take on prison movies withDown By Law, Westerns withDead Man, and even kung fu withGhost Dog: The Way of the Samurai. In a career that has continually played with audiences' expectations, it was only natural Jarmusch would provide viewers with a unique take on zombie movies withThe Dead Don’t Die.
Featuring a star-studded cast including Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, and Adam Driver, and a mishmash of musicians like Iggy Pop, Selena Gomez, and RZA,The Dead Don’t Diehad perhaps the most impressive ensemble cast of any zombie movie ever made. With an absurdist sense of humor, rather than focusing on horror and gore,The Dead Don’t Diewas a smart film that leaned into the everyday hilarities of human existence. As the zombies in Jarmusch’s world gravitate toward the things they enjoyed while alive, many of the undead in this film would rather drink Chardonnay than eat brains.
Zombieland
After a zombie virus wipes out modern society, those left to navigate the wasteland must live by a certain set of rules. Zombieland follows Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) as he meets Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), and they join forces to survive the apocalypse. They soon team up with sisters Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin), and the group embark on a cross-country trip in search of refuge from the zombie horde.
Zombielandtold the story of Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), Wichita (Emma Stone), and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) making their way across America to find an amusement park that’s supposedly free from zombies. Rather than focus on horror, survival, and gore,Zombielandfocused on comedy first, as the meta-humor and tongue-in-cheek references meant it was dead set against seriousness. With a memorable celebrity cameo from a zombified Bill Murray,Zombielandwas not afraid to break away from the conventions of the genre.
While plenty of movies beforeZombielandexplored the comedic side of the genre, the star power, strong writing, and high production values made this stand out as one of the finest zombie comedies ever made. As a road movie with a knowing sense of style,Zombielandfelt like the American equivalent to the British classicShaun of the Deadand was one of the few zombie comedies that could live up to the extraordinarily high bar that the film set. Whilethe sequelZombieland: Double Tapdidn’t hit as hard, it was still an enjoyable follow-up.
Idle Hands
Idle Hands is a horror-comedy directed by Rodman Flender. Released in 1999, the film follows 17-year-old stoner Anton, whose lack of ambition leads to unexpected chaos when his hand becomes possessed. Amid humorous and supernatural events, Anton must confront this demonic force threatening his way of life.
While the 1990s weren’t exactly the golden age of the zombie genre, one thing this period did well was teen movies. One film that brought together these two styles was the cult comedyIdle Hands, which, although a box office bomb upon release, has built up its reputation over the past few decades and stood as an enjoyable time capsule to an outrageous time in filmmaking. Based on the saying “the Devil makes quick work of idle hands,” Devon Sawa starred as a slacker teen whose zombified hand was cut off and started acting independently.
This unconventional zombie movie featured an incredible punk rock soundtrack from the likes of The Offspring, Blink 182, and The Vandals and leaned heavily on the slacker and lackadaisical tendencies of Generation X.Idle Handswas a satirical comedy that predatedScary Movieby one yearand showcased audience’s appetite for tongue-in-cheek, self-referential humor. As a spoof horror movie that didn’t forget to remain scary,Idle Handswas funny and frightening in equal parts.
Life After Beth
Life After Beth is a dark comedy released in 2014, directed by Jeff Baena. The film stars Aubrey Plaza as Beth, who unexpectedly returns from the dead, and Dane DeHaan as her grieving boyfriend, Zach. As Zach tries to navigate the complexities of rekindling a relationship with his resurrected girlfriend, he discovers unforeseen challenges and complications. The film explores themes of love, loss, and the unexpected consequences of second chances.
Zombie movies tend to follow several predetermined conventions, but one film that changed zombie lore wasLife After Beth. Directed by Jeff Baena, distributed by A24, and starring Aubrey Plaza,Life After Bethnever felt formulaicas it told the story of Zach (Dane DeHaan) discovering his girlfriend Beth (Plaza) alive and well, despite having already attended her funeral. Beth’s surprised parents allow Zack to continue dating their daughter on the condition that he keeps her out of sight, as they don’t want anyone to question how she mysteriously rose from the dead.
Unlike most zombie movies, Beth seemed perfectly normal without any ill effects from her zombification until things started to go horribly wrong. Before long, Beth grew increasingly violent, was prone to mood swings, and eventually transformed into a full, bloodthirsty zombie craving human flesh.Life After Bethstood out among the zombie genre for the way it blended rom-com conventions with horror and, much likeWarm Bodiesfrom the year before, was an exciting new take on the zombie genre, where zombies act more as an allegories for heartache and loss than for social or political issues.
Pontypool
Pontypool is a psychological horror film directed by Bruce McDonald, based on the novel Pontypool Changes Everything by Tony Burgess. The story unfolds in a small town where a radio DJ and his crew discover a deadly virus is spreading through the English language. As they broadcast from their studio, they grapple with the unfolding chaos and strive to decode the phenomenon.
The low-budget Canadian horrorPontypoolproved it doesn’t require big budgets, major star power, or outrageous special effects to create a truly nail-biting horror movie. As a clever, funny, and truly scary zombie film,Pontypooltold the story of a shock jock radio Dj named Grant Mazzy (Stephen McHattie) interpreting a zombie outbreak live on air. As a deadly virus infected the small Ontario town he was stationed in, terror and suspense slowly built in this woefully underseen hidden gem.
Pontypoolwas initially produced as a radio play based on the novelPontypool Changes Everythingby Tony Burgess, and this original focus on audio made the feature film all the more effective. Much in the same way that Orson Welles’s radio version ofThe War of the Worldsspread terror among its listeners,Pontypoolcaptured the abject horror of a disaster occurring in real-time as the true consequences of the zombie outbreak became apparent. As an imaginative story with plenty of twists and turns,Pontypool’sunique structure made it stand out among the zombie genre.
Maggie
Maggie is a drama that explores a father’s struggle to care for his infected daughter during a viral outbreak. Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as Wade Vogel, a protective parent who faces emotional challenges as he anticipates the inevitable transformation of his daughter Maggie, portrayed by Abigail Breslin.
Arnold Schwarzenegger shed his unstoppable action-hero persona for a more grounded take on zombie stories withMaggie. As the concerned father, Wade Vogel, Schwarzenegger showed off his dramatic side as society adapts to the effects of a zombie pandemic and Wade struggles with accepting the infection of his daughter Maggie (Abigail Breslin), who has been bitten and will soon turn into a cannibalistic zombie.Maggiedealt with the psychological hardship of a father, knowing there’s no hope left for his daughter but wanting to do everything in his power to make sure she does not suffer.
Rather than seek revenge and go on a killing spree against hordes of infected zombies, Schwarzenegger instead quarantines with his daughter and struggles with the morality of euthanizing her before she turns. As a touching story that had far more to do with mercy and parental concerns than it did with the gory tenets of the zombie genre,Maggiewas a surprisingly poignant turn from Schwarzeneggerthat packed a serious emotional punch.
A scientist and a teacher living in a dystopian future embark on a journey of survival with a special young girl named Melanie.
The Girl with All the Giftsblended the grounded, gritty feel of28 Days Laterwith the emotional resonance and vaccine survival story ofThe Last of Usto produce one of the best British horror movies in recent memory. Mike Carey adapted the screenplay from his novel of the same name to tell the story of a near future where society has been ravaged by a parasitic fungus that transmits through bodily fluids. While the disease causes people to turn into fast-moving, zombified “hungries,” the last hope for humanity is a small group of infected children who appear unaffected.
As a scientist, a teacher, and a young girl embark on a journey of survival,The Girl with All the Giftsreveals itself as a zombie movie that’s not really about the zombies. Instead,The Girl with All the Giftswas about acceptance and understanding, as the infected girl has a right to live despite society’s fears about her potentially deadly nature. With strong performances, a great premise, and a truly unpredictable narrative,The Girl with All the Giftswas a unique zombie story of serious emotional power.
Train to Busan
Train to Busan is a South Korean action-horror film released in 2016. Directed by Yeon Sang-ho, it centers on passengers aboard an express train from Seoul to Busan during a sudden zombie outbreak. As the virus spreads, the survivors must navigate the chaotic and dangerous environment to reach safety.
One modern horror that became an instant classic wasTrain to Busan, the South Korean zombie story that packed a serious emotional punch. With terrifying, fast-moving zombies and a touching story about a workaholic father doing right by his daughter,Train to Busantakes place on a train from Seoul to Busan that has become overwhelmed by zombiesin an apocalyptic outbreak of undead creatures. As the perfect blend of action and horror,Train to Busankept viewers on the edge of their seats throughout while maintaining a truly powerful emotional core.
Train to Busanwas one of the most memorable zombie movies in recent years, as its cast of fully realized characters, intense action sequences, and effective social commentary showcased the biting relevance of zombie stories. With an equally engaging animated prequel titledSeoul Stationand a standalone sequel calledPeninsula,Train to Busanalso acted as the inception point for an exciting new franchise. While anEnglish-language remake titledLast Train to New Yorkwas announced, it will be very hard to top the emotional power of the original.
Shaun of the Dead
From director Edgar Wright, Shaun of the Dead stars Simon Pegg as Shaun, an ambitionless slacker who one day finds his world overrun by zombies. From a script by Wright and Pegg, Shaun of the Dead injects comedy into a typically horror-focused subgenre as Shaun and his lazy friend Ed (Nick Frost) attempt to rescue Shaun’s estranged girlfriend and make it through the apocalypse unscathed.
Shaun of the Deadwas the definitive zombie comedy as it perfectly blended horror and humor to tell the story of a London salesman named Shaun caught in a zombie apocalypse. Intending to survive long enough to make it to the pub, this hilarious release from director Edgar Wright and star Simon Pegg began an incredible trilogy that poked fun at and satirized the conventions of different filmmaking styles.TheThree Flavours Cornetto trilogybegan with the zombie satireShaun of the Dead, then the action cop comedyHot Fuzz, and finally the silly sci-fiThe World’s End.
Taking inspiration from George A. Romero’sNight of the Living Dead, the appeal ofShaun of the Deadwas that it was made with pure love for the zombie genre as it cleverly balanced scares with satire. Packed with cultural references to zombie movies of the past,Shaun of the Deadwas an example of postmodern cinema done well and acted as a love letter to horror in general. As a true cult classic that has not lost any of its innate power, for those looking for an unconventional take onzombiestories, it’s hard to go wrong withShaun of the Dead.
