Zombie Comedy ‘Life After Beth’: The Perfect Watch for ‘The Walking Dead’ Fans

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Summary

  • The Walking Dead fans who want a lighter zombie movie should watch Life After Beth, a blend of comedy and horror.
  • Life After Beth follows a man grieving the loss of his zombified girlfriend, asking big questions about love and change.
  • Actress Aubrey Plaza portrays the human side of her character’s transformation into a zombie in Life After Beth.

From the moment The Walking Dead debuted on AMC back in 2010, viewers have been captivated by the tale of Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), a man struggling to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. To this day, fans continue to debate the fates of their beloved characters and ponder the deeper messages hidden within the series. While it’s enjoyable to spot the familiar zombie cliches in each episode, it’s the heartfelt scenes between characters that truly resonate.

Re-experiencing the gripping world of “The Walking Dead” never fails to captivate me, whether I’m eagerly anticipating fresh spinoffs or craving a revisit of a cherished episode. Similarly, much like the forthcoming film “This Is Not A Test,” based on Courtney Summers’s novel, there exists another zombie-themed movie that is tailor-made for ardent fans of “The Walking Dead.” Though it may carry a distinct flavor, it maintains the same level of intensity and suspense.

Life After Beth Is A Great Zombie Movie For The Walking Dead Fans

The film titled “Life After Beth,” released in 2014 by A24, is a must-watch for fans of “The Walking Dead” as it revolves around the character Beth Slocum (played by Aubrey Plaza) who tragically turns into a zombie. Despite having a lighter and more whimsical atmosphere compared to the AMC series, the movie features some intense storylines, such as Beth’s transformation causing her to become increasingly mean-spirited and aggressive. A24 is renowned for producing quality horror films, and “Life After Beth” delivers an enjoyable mix of horror and humor. Although Beth has the potential to harm anyone she encounters, her likable personality keeps viewers engaged.

While “The Walking Dead” unfolds in a post-apocalyptic world, “Life After Beth” takes place before such cataclysmic events. However, both narratives share a common theme: coping with the aftermath of tragic loss. In “The Walking Dead”, characters like Rick Grimes and his companions are struggling to rebuild their lives amidst the chaos brought on by the apocalypse, having lost many loved ones along the way, shaping them into who they are today. Similarly, in “Life After Beth”, protagonist Zach Orfman (played by Dane DeHaan) is grappling with his grief and finding ways to adapt to this new reality following Beth’s death.

As a devoted cinephile, one film that has left an indelible impression on me is “Life After Beth,” starring the inimitable Aubrey Plaza, who’s no stranger to our screens with her roles in “The White Lotus” season 2 and “Parks and Recreation.” This unique movie cleverly employs familiar zombie motifs to weave a captivating tale about love, relationships, life, and death.

In this film, I find myself grappling with the unsettling reality that my girlfriend, Beth, has morphed into a monster capable of harming me. The realization that our relationship is no more strikes a profound chord. Beth’s metamorphosis from human to zombie serves as a backdrop for “Life After Beth” to probe deep questions about the essence of love and how we evolve and adapt through life’s passage.

This underappreciated gem is a must-see, showcasing Plaza’s exceptional talent at its peak. It’s high time more movie enthusiasts discovered this underrated masterpiece.

In films like “Life After Beth“, “Safety Not Guaranteed“, and “Emily The Criminal“, the distinctive humor and acting style of Aubrey Plaza shine brightly. Plaza delivers exceptional performances in these movies, as her character exhibits a chilling demeanor reminiscent of a monster, yet retains a palpable sense of humanity throughout every scene. Portraying a zombie is no simple task, but Plaza masterfully tackles the challenge. In an interview with Den of Geek, Aubrey Plaza discussed her portrayal of the character from “Life After Beth“, expressing her thoughts on the role.

“it was like, there was a demon inside of me, or something, that I was fighting with.”

She added that she didn’t want to watch other movies about zombies and explained:

I chose not to conduct research on zombies since I didn’t want to mimic others, as I was creating a unique undead character. While there haven’t been many films featuring such deeply emotional and human-like zombies, I pondered whether watching some zombie movies might help me grasp the physical aspects.

Where Is Life After Beth Streaming?

Fans of “The Walking Dead” and scary zombie films might appreciate the comedic twist in “Life After Beth”, a movie you can stream on Kanopy. Alternatively, it can be rented on Amazon Video or AppleTV. The film, lasting approximately 91 minutes, offers an ideal running time for those seeking entertainment without overstaying its welcome. Kanopy also provides access to other intriguing films such as “Donnie Darko”, “Memento”, and David Lynch’s “Eraserhead”.

What Other Cast Members Are In Life After Beth?

  • Anna Kendrick
  • John C. Reilly
  • Molly Shannon
  • Matthew Gray Gubler
  • Paul Reiser
  • Cheryl Hines

Fans of “The Walking Dead” who enjoyed “Life After Beth” might want to rewatch the show and encounter characters such as Negan (played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan), which they can do on multiple streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or AMC+.

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2025-02-17 21:59