In 2004, Edgar Wright breathed new life into the zombie genre with the horror/comedy, Shaun of the Dead, a clever twist on George A. Romero’s Dawn of the Dead. The film follows the misadventures of Shaun (Simon Pegg), a 30-something slacker whose life is far from perfect. When his town is suddenly overrun with zombies, Shaun and his best friend Ed (Nick Frost) must step up to protect both Shaun’s girlfriend Liz and his mother. Despite critical acclaim, Shaun of the Dead was a commercial disappointment, grossing only $30 million worldwide. However, it eventually achieved cult status and has been featured on numerous best-of lists, including Channel 4’s 50 Greatest Comedy Films, where it ranked third, behind Monty Python’s Life of Brian and Airplane!
This success paved the way for another zombie favorite, Zombieland, starring Emma Stone, Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, and Abigail Breslin. The 2009 horror/comedy drew inspiration from both Shaun of the Dead and the video game Left 4 Dead, although the game’s creators denied granting permission for their game to be mentioned in the film or credits. Zombieland follows the journey of Tallahassee, Columbus, Wichita, and Little Rock as they road trip to Los Angeles, believed to be a safe haven from the zombie outbreak that has ravaged the world. Also critically acclaimed, Zombieland was a commercial hit, grossing $102.4 million worldwide. With Zombieland being the more financially successful of the two films, does that make it the best zombie horror/comedy out there? Let’s take a closer look at both films and determine which one truly stands out.
Shaun of the Dead
The brainchild of Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg, this horror/comedy masterfully balances laughs and scares, a difficult feat to achieve. The writers crafted a likable and relatable protagonist, and the chemistry between Simon Pegg and Nick Frost is nothing short of amazing, making their friendship feel genuine and authentic.
The dynamic duo of lovable slackers meshes well with the rest of the talented cast, who bring their characters to life with aplomb. The comedy is seamlessly integrated into the plot, with memorable moments such as Shaun and Ed’s encounter with Mary and the fat guy, Dianne’s examination of a zombie, and the gang’s antics inside the pub. In addition to the humor and horror, Shaun of the Dead expertly tugs at the heartstrings, with emotional scenes like Shaun having to kill his mother and the poignant final moments between non-zombie Ed and Shaun. The story is simple, but that simplicity actually enhances the overall narrative and allows for excellent character development, particularly for Shaun. In short, this timeless, gory, and hilarious film sets the standard for horror/comedy.
Zombieland
Although Zombieland proudly acknowledges its debt to Shaun of the Dead, the film succeeds in carving out its own unique identity. Like its predecessor, Zombieland’s strength lies in its characters, who play off each other brilliantly. Subtle touches, such as the scene where Tallahassee, Columbus, Wichita, and Little Rock enjoy life’s simple pleasures or Tallahassee’s obsession with Twinkies, help the audience connect with the main characters. It’s also enjoyable to watch Wichita and Little Rock gradually overcome their trust issues, while Tallahassee’s growing fondness for Columbus and the two girls is heartwarming.
The story in Zombieland is also straightforward, but it never feels sluggish or loses momentum. The visual gags are fantastic, and elements like the zombie kill of the week montages and Columbus’s zombie survival rules give the film its own distinct flavor. However, one criticism (besides the untimely demise of a non-zombie Bill Murray) is that the main characters rarely seem to be in genuine danger. Aside from the climactic carnival scene, Tallahassee, Columbus, Wichita, and Little Rock appear to be protected by plot armor, as the film avoids taking risks by turning any of them into zombies. While audiences undoubtedly love these characters and don’t want to see them die, this lack of unpredictability somewhat detracts from the film’s overall impact.
So which zom-com takes the crown? Shaun of the Dead. This near-perfect 2004 film set the bar incredibly high, and while Zombieland is an instant classic in its own right, it falls just short of surpassing its predecessor. Both films, however, remain essential viewing for fans of the horror/comedy genre.
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