21 years ago, director Edgar Wright intrepidly threw his hat in the ring when it came to making a horror film. Armed with nothing but his love for zombie flicks as well as some cheeky humor that could be seen from his previous work “Spaced,” Wright managed to create arguably one of the best horror comedy films since Sam Raimi’s “Evil Dead 2.” Ever since its release, the film has become a sleeper pick in the annals of the horror genre, being viewed by those wanting to be frightened all the while getting a few chuckles in.
The film follows Shaun, played by Simon Pegg, a 29-year old-slacker and sales associate trying to get his life together. With a relationship going down the drain all the while having to share a flat with his other slacker friend Ed, as played by Nick Frost, it seems that Shaun’s life couldn’t get any worse. But with the advent of a zombie apocalypse, Shaun must take up the role as the reluctant hero to try and save his family and loved ones.
“Shaun of the Dead” skillfully balances out both horror and comedy elements. The scarier parts have been meticulously crafted to mimic the more stern horror films of the same era such as “28 Days Later.”
However, it wouldn’t be considered a prime Edgar Wright film without his trademark humorous wit, jibe and slapstick comedy. The comedic aspects in the film serve as an entertaining respite from the usual terrifying elements expected for a zombie film. Wright successfully flips the zombie genre on its head, proving that it doesn’t have to be all that serious.
The film additionally puts the hilarious dynamic between Simon Pegg and Nick Frost on full display. The duo managed to perform the straight man trope so perfectly, it would make Abbott and Costello proud. The chemistry between the two can be seen in later films of Wright such as “Hot Fuzz” and “The World’s End.” Alongside Pegg and Frost, many of the characters within the movie exhibit a comedically tone-deaf attitude towards their predicament.
The film’s needle drops are up to par with that of James Gunn himself. From hard-hitting tracks such as “Orpheus” by Ash and “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen to the more mellow songs of bands like Chicago’s “If You Leave Me Now” and “Ghost Town” by The Specials, each song has been tailored to both amplify and comically juxtapose the dire situation the characters are facing. It’s surprising to see how well Edgar Wright has mastered the art of soundtrack curation especially for his first film outing.
Yet, the real genius of the film comes out when one realizes how relevant it is today.
In a way, “Shaun of the Dead” almost seems to be prophetic. Shaun’s nonchalance with the zombie apocalypse heavily mirrors the attitudes of many during the COVID-19 pandemic in which many idly passed the time while watching TV or playing video games. With the rise and fall of COVID-19 giving way to the idea of a “new normal,” it’s hard not to see the parallels between today’s society and the journey Shaun takes throughout the film.
Just like Shaun, many are doing the best they can to keep everything together in such a messy world. Additionally, attitudes regarding the whole COVID-19 pandemic have shifted since then, with more and more people forgetting where they were or what they were doing. Some have even started to forget that there was a pandemic in the first place.
Trying to protect one’s peace while societal issues continue to stack up has been a prevailing sentiment, especially for those in Gen-Z. The film, despite being two decades old, almost works as a social commentary on that specific attitude. Instead of having a preachy “call-to-action” message, Wright somewhat confides in the apathetic attitudes of the characters while communicating that the best thing to do in a situation like this is to just focus on oneself and what they can control. The film’s real horror might be coming from how alike it is with today’s world as well as the feelings and thoughts of the people living in it.
Verdict: Sprinkling in his own flavor of comedy, Wright completely changes the conventions of what a horror movie should be. Alongside its parallels to apathetic attitudes within modern society, “Shaun of the Dead” is a must watch for the Halloween season.
