A nice little romance movie hidden inside a zombie apocalypse comedy. Very enjoyable and well worth a look.
More aimed at the feel good, love story genre than at the zombie market.
A hidden gem doused in British, dry, black comedy.
32 Reviews
Slap it harder
nogodnomasters11 June 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Karen (Zoë Tapper ) is depressed from her recent stillborn. She wants to divorce John (Ed Speleers) but hasn't found the words, just moving boxes. Because of the onset of a viral outbreak zombie apocalypse, she opts not to mention it. Instead, they are forced to stay inside their apartment except for the occasional food runs. She works in the evidence locker and has a bunch of drugs "they won't miss" lying around.
The film was more drama than horror. It is about two people who have fallen apart finding themselves again. It was all right, just don't expect great zombie effects.
Guide: F-word. sex. no nudity.
The film was more drama than horror. It is about two people who have fallen apart finding themselves again. It was all right, just don't expect great zombie effects.
Guide: F-word. sex. no nudity.
Drama, humor and to a lesser extent horror. I've enjoyed it.
peterp-450-29871620 June 2019
Come on, it's just some big
pharmaceutical company trying to cash in.
Admit it, the zombie horror genre has been thoroughly milked in recent years. Last years the market is flooded with films in which a global epidemic causes the rise of a maddened mob of bloodthirsty, mindless people who just want to sink their teeth in a juicy piece of human flesh. The majority of releases are also terribly bad and full of unoriginal clichés. But once in a while, you'll also find quirky attempts that try to give an original twist to a well-known theme. Like this Swedish production "Zoo" (don't confuse it with the adventure film in which a young boy and an elephant steal the show) which tries to mix comedy and drama with the zombie genre. Even though I'm not in favor of a mix of comedy and horror, I could appreciate the black humor here. The film immediately reminded me of "La Nuit a dévoré le Monde" where they also put more emphasis on the person who's trying to survive the Apocalypse than the Apocalypse itself.
In "Zoo" Karen (Zoë Tapper) and John (Ed Speleers) are the ones whose lives are being shaken up. A pregnancy that has gone wrong has already ensured that they don't get along so good anymore. Karen has withdrawn deeper and deeper into her shell where she is consumed by grief and reproach. John throws himself into his work. And before they realize it, they live alongside each other, there's no longer any question of affection and Karen has gathered a lot of moving boxes already. In short, their marriage is falling apart. Were it not that a rapidly spreading virus starts to mess up society big time. Just like their marriage, society is gradually collapsing. And the only thing the authorities advise is to stay inside and keep yourself busy with something.
And that's what they do. They watch old films on VHS. Do exercises to keep fit and to defend themselves in case a few infected guys try to smash their door. But mainly the couple grows closer to each other and discover their lost love again. Maybe the supply of drugs Karen has hidden in a cupboard has something to do with it. In any case, everything seems like peace and light again. For a moment anyway. The interaction between Zoë Tapper and Ed Speleers never felt artificial. It was as if they were a couple in real life.
As I mentioned earlier, "Zoo" is a mix of drama, humor, and horror. Although the horror part is gently slumbering in the background. Every once in a while you get to see some hysterical looking aggressors who throw themselves at every audible sound. But these fragments are so scarce that after a while the horror element is forgotten. The first part is both engaging and moving. Until the neighbors show up and the comical side prevails. Without a doubt the better part of the film. The second part is more tragic and fairly intense. The ultimate message is a confirmation of their wedding promise. And I'm talking about the "for better or for worse" part. "Zoo" is certainly not suitable for a seasoned horror fan. I'm sure horror fans will be disappointed and get bored while watching it. And finally an important warning. This film has the alternative title "Death do us part". But you should certainly not confuse this with the film of the same name from the year 2014. Because that's really a monstrosity of a movie.
More reviews here: movie-freak.be
Admit it, the zombie horror genre has been thoroughly milked in recent years. Last years the market is flooded with films in which a global epidemic causes the rise of a maddened mob of bloodthirsty, mindless people who just want to sink their teeth in a juicy piece of human flesh. The majority of releases are also terribly bad and full of unoriginal clichés. But once in a while, you'll also find quirky attempts that try to give an original twist to a well-known theme. Like this Swedish production "Zoo" (don't confuse it with the adventure film in which a young boy and an elephant steal the show) which tries to mix comedy and drama with the zombie genre. Even though I'm not in favor of a mix of comedy and horror, I could appreciate the black humor here. The film immediately reminded me of "La Nuit a dévoré le Monde" where they also put more emphasis on the person who's trying to survive the Apocalypse than the Apocalypse itself.
In "Zoo" Karen (Zoë Tapper) and John (Ed Speleers) are the ones whose lives are being shaken up. A pregnancy that has gone wrong has already ensured that they don't get along so good anymore. Karen has withdrawn deeper and deeper into her shell where she is consumed by grief and reproach. John throws himself into his work. And before they realize it, they live alongside each other, there's no longer any question of affection and Karen has gathered a lot of moving boxes already. In short, their marriage is falling apart. Were it not that a rapidly spreading virus starts to mess up society big time. Just like their marriage, society is gradually collapsing. And the only thing the authorities advise is to stay inside and keep yourself busy with something.
And that's what they do. They watch old films on VHS. Do exercises to keep fit and to defend themselves in case a few infected guys try to smash their door. But mainly the couple grows closer to each other and discover their lost love again. Maybe the supply of drugs Karen has hidden in a cupboard has something to do with it. In any case, everything seems like peace and light again. For a moment anyway. The interaction between Zoë Tapper and Ed Speleers never felt artificial. It was as if they were a couple in real life.
As I mentioned earlier, "Zoo" is a mix of drama, humor, and horror. Although the horror part is gently slumbering in the background. Every once in a while you get to see some hysterical looking aggressors who throw themselves at every audible sound. But these fragments are so scarce that after a while the horror element is forgotten. The first part is both engaging and moving. Until the neighbors show up and the comical side prevails. Without a doubt the better part of the film. The second part is more tragic and fairly intense. The ultimate message is a confirmation of their wedding promise. And I'm talking about the "for better or for worse" part. "Zoo" is certainly not suitable for a seasoned horror fan. I'm sure horror fans will be disappointed and get bored while watching it. And finally an important warning. This film has the alternative title "Death do us part". But you should certainly not confuse this with the film of the same name from the year 2014. Because that's really a monstrosity of a movie.
More reviews here: movie-freak.be
It's either too long or too short...Not sure
Hajimoto062524 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Good premise, good acting, but the story is SLOW.
It felt as if they weren't 100% bought in to the Rom part of Romzom. The filmmaker seemed to shoehorn the romantic dialog/scenes by cutting out most of the survival stuff. For example, they made this big decision to leave the apartment. Big build up to the m walking out the door...then, here they are running back into the apartment some unknown time later. All that they mention about the outing is that it was long enough for them to make it to a warehouse and Zoe Tapper was bitten. Then they were back in the kitchen drinking coffee.
I get that the zombie apocalypse was the backdrop to the love story, but you can't show brief flashes and then not expand on them a LITTLE. Otherwise, keep them ALLTHE WAY to the background and keep them there. That would have let the romantic story flow.
Here's the thing...This movie is either 30 minutes too long or 30 minutes too short. Flesh-out the apocalypse and zombie survival, or cut it back even more and focus on the relationship. It's not working very well as it is now.
It felt as if they weren't 100% bought in to the Rom part of Romzom. The filmmaker seemed to shoehorn the romantic dialog/scenes by cutting out most of the survival stuff. For example, they made this big decision to leave the apartment. Big build up to the m walking out the door...then, here they are running back into the apartment some unknown time later. All that they mention about the outing is that it was long enough for them to make it to a warehouse and Zoe Tapper was bitten. Then they were back in the kitchen drinking coffee.
I get that the zombie apocalypse was the backdrop to the love story, but you can't show brief flashes and then not expand on them a LITTLE. Otherwise, keep them ALLTHE WAY to the background and keep them there. That would have let the romantic story flow.
Here's the thing...This movie is either 30 minutes too long or 30 minutes too short. Flesh-out the apocalypse and zombie survival, or cut it back even more and focus on the relationship. It's not working very well as it is now.
Different
DansLeNoir3 January 2020
I watching the film; I laughed, scared, worried, sad, happy. It was an interesting movie. The drama and love in the film was very beautiful. The acting were very successful. Although the film progresses strange at the beginning, I liked the film afterwards.
Cinematography, colors and music were also very good. Director did a good job.
Not A Horror Comedy
moremakeupplease9 October 2020
I'm not sure who said this was partly a comedy but they definitely missed the mark. I have seen so many movies considered to be within the horror comedy genre and let me tell you, there was nothing remotely comical about this movie, or even amusing. It was downright horror/thriller/drama.
A very good attempt... but
clarkzrevs15 June 2019
Simply put: this movie had a good premise and good acting to say the least, for its budget I feel it has accomplished ample. The plot developed steadily with some interesting humor. It dwindles 3/4 of the way, but compensates with a suitable ending. It could have yielded more in terms of action, though it did have an organic feel to it, which made the movie watchable.
(For zombie fans: this film is worth including in your watch list but I cannot give it a higher score than a 5, even though I was really satisfied with the acting... there just wasn't enough substance)
(For zombie fans: this film is worth including in your watch list but I cannot give it a higher score than a 5, even though I was really satisfied with the acting... there just wasn't enough substance)
Refreshing...
Daaaave11112 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
A zombie apocalypse used not for the usual dreaded countdown until death, but the catalyst for fixing a couple who are broken.
Karen and John are caught in this inevitably bleak situation and just get on it, finding each other again along the way. This is not the typical film of this genre as touched on before so should be looked at more as a weird, funny and intimate take.
Would recommend for those who are bored of seeing zombie guts and bodies being ripped apart...
Beautiful film but terrible film
red-nevermore-smith19 September 2020
Feels like it is trying to be an Edgar Wright film, it has fast cuts and quick lines, but it fails.
Music is so wrong for this film.
Dialogue is bad, characters don't make sense, editing is terrible.
Best thing about this film is the way it looks, the cinematography is beautiful.
Just watch #alive or vivarium instead
I like different
jenniferwellne31 July 2023
Even though many seem to find this movie weak and failing in many regards, I think it was quite moving. Sure, it has its faults like most movies do, but the ending is what truly got me. I was afraid this one would have a bad or frustrating ending but it didn't disappoint me. If the ending would have been different though, this might have been one of those movies that you just forget with time.
Another very strong and great positive about the movie, like many others have mentioned, is the cinematography. Beautiful shots and the lighting in some scenes is fantastic. Thanks to this you kinda forget that the entire movie is set in a small apartment.
I do however feel like the characters, other than the couple, were just weird in a way that made the movie less "realistic" (not that a zombie apocalypse is realistic anyways but I hope you know what I mean)
Overall a beautiful and different love story.. Involving some zombies.
Another very strong and great positive about the movie, like many others have mentioned, is the cinematography. Beautiful shots and the lighting in some scenes is fantastic. Thanks to this you kinda forget that the entire movie is set in a small apartment.
I do however feel like the characters, other than the couple, were just weird in a way that made the movie less "realistic" (not that a zombie apocalypse is realistic anyways but I hope you know what I mean)
Overall a beautiful and different love story.. Involving some zombies.
Stuck with you
Prismark1030 May 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Writer/Director Antonio Tublen's low budget film Zoo is an unsuccessful look at love during a zombie pandemic.
Karen (Zoë Tapper) and John (Ed Speleers) live in a high rise flat and their marriage is disintegrating.
When news of a zombie infection comes through, they are trapped in their flat. They draw a large X on their window and wait to be rescued.
The time together gets the couple to bond again helped by the various drugs they have been taking. They interact with various people that come into their lives. Such as an uninfected couple who come to live with them but Karen is unhappy because it means sharing scarce food so she bakes them biscuits laced with speed.
Later on Karen stupidly opens the door to a gang of marauders, it all leads to a strengthening of the relationship between the couple as they fight off all comers.
The location of the film mainly consists of the flat and the bath. It is a bottle film but Tublen's film just does not make sense. I could never understand why they just let in people in their flat when they did not want them there and worse just to randomly open the door without checking for dangers.
Maybe the intention of the film was to be a bizarre Scandi black romantic comedy, in that case it flew over my head. Tapper and Speleers make the most from the material they have been given.
Karen (Zoë Tapper) and John (Ed Speleers) live in a high rise flat and their marriage is disintegrating.
When news of a zombie infection comes through, they are trapped in their flat. They draw a large X on their window and wait to be rescued.
The time together gets the couple to bond again helped by the various drugs they have been taking. They interact with various people that come into their lives. Such as an uninfected couple who come to live with them but Karen is unhappy because it means sharing scarce food so she bakes them biscuits laced with speed.
Later on Karen stupidly opens the door to a gang of marauders, it all leads to a strengthening of the relationship between the couple as they fight off all comers.
The location of the film mainly consists of the flat and the bath. It is a bottle film but Tublen's film just does not make sense. I could never understand why they just let in people in their flat when they did not want them there and worse just to randomly open the door without checking for dangers.
Maybe the intention of the film was to be a bizarre Scandi black romantic comedy, in that case it flew over my head. Tapper and Speleers make the most from the material they have been given.
Love survives
TenPin196930 May 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Easily one of the better zombie movies out there. Zoo eschews the typical zombie movie cliches and focuses instead on how the end of the world affects a lone couple, already on the brink of a failing marriage. Solid acting by both main characters.
Spoiler . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . My only question is why they didn't go out through the hole in the roof.
Spoiler . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . My only question is why they didn't go out through the hole in the roof.
Good, sad movie. Not a zombie nonsense movie.
kennyamac9 July 2021
Good independent-like movie.
Not just another bs zombie slasher movie.
But warning... if u r in a childless relationship, give this a miss. It cuts far too close to the bone and will just depress you. (Not sure why society thinks, infertile couples are fair game for movies... every other minority gets protection... why are we the forgotten ones?)
Not just another bs zombie slasher movie.
But warning... if u r in a childless relationship, give this a miss. It cuts far too close to the bone and will just depress you. (Not sure why society thinks, infertile couples are fair game for movies... every other minority gets protection... why are we the forgotten ones?)
Padding a short film to bulk it into a feature only insults the audience
Alice_Robersen16 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
The amount of slack in the film put one in pain while being subjected to the script drivel. The director lets talent stretch out expressions and emoting things so long that you think it's part of a bad sitcom.
I understand locations are expensive, but being confined to an apartment leaves the cinematographer to be more creative, yet she doesn't deliver. We feel bored.
Overall the film is a great success with concept, but fails miserably with script, direction, cinematography, and editing. Pity they ruined a good idea.
This isn't how you create a cult movie. This is how you create crap.
fedor89 April 2022
A muddled and completely unsuccessful - not to mention undoable - mish-mash of comedy and drama. The morose atmosphere and lame humour only exacerbate things.
Several very stupid plot-devices too, and some quite predictable twists.
It's fascinating how many downright awful scripts get green-lighted every day all across this globe. Does nobody actually read these things beforehand?
Several very stupid plot-devices too, and some quite predictable twists.
It's fascinating how many downright awful scripts get green-lighted every day all across this globe. Does nobody actually read these things beforehand?
Could be better, considering the plot they wanted to drive in
leonshikto12 November 2019
The movie is suppose to focus on the two main characters but I as an individual failed to connect with them, so it could have been better considering they had a good plot to begin with. I did not completely dislike this movie it was successful in the aspect of comedy but failed on the other genres. This could be caused a lacking in acting or directing. The soundtrack failed to capture the emotions which lowered the impact of the scenes. The movie was however able to tell its story keeping a nice flow not messing things up.
According to my rating strategy:
Story : 2/2 , Viewer Satisfaction: 1/2, Task Fulfillment: 1/1, Directing, Cinematography and soundtrack: 0/2, Wow Factor/ Effort(In case of 0 ratings) : 0/0, Acting: 1/2
Story : 2/2 , Viewer Satisfaction: 1/2, Task Fulfillment: 1/1, Directing, Cinematography and soundtrack: 0/2, Wow Factor/ Effort(In case of 0 ratings) : 0/0, Acting: 1/2
Weird
lisaisablogger19 November 2019
The best part of the movie: the ending
amarieigabriela22 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This movie has nothing to offer. Just a love story that has been damaged because of their stillborn child. A movie about a zombie apocalipse, stealing, doing drugs, drinking alcohol, hating and killing others. In other words, survival, the main idea but wrongly put into practice
The only things you can learn is the lessons about love, and thats all.
At some point, even if the movie is not so long, I had the impression that it's not ending, the story going slow before hitting the point of it
At least, I saw an entire list of romanian names at the end, which makes me proud. But this movie it's not it.
At some point, even if the movie is not so long, I had the impression that it's not ending, the story going slow before hitting the point of it
At least, I saw an entire list of romanian names at the end, which makes me proud. But this movie it's not it.
5.6/10. Watchable but not recommended
athanasiosze2 June 2022
This is a comedy/drama/romance disguised as a comedy/zombie horror.
Not a bad movie for sure, however i didn't enjoy it much, kinda slow and boring. There is no action. You will get some intense moments and the actors do a nice job. But there is not much fun here. 95 minutes and i felt that it was longer.
Maybe i was not in the mood for something like this. I can't recommend it but some people will like it.
Not a bad movie for sure, however i didn't enjoy it much, kinda slow and boring. There is no action. You will get some intense moments and the actors do a nice job. But there is not much fun here. 95 minutes and i felt that it was longer.
Maybe i was not in the mood for something like this. I can't recommend it but some people will like it.
Anyone notice the lockdown poster
martinjohnston3912 May 2021
I liked ed speelers in howl so I watched this ' not as good atmos as that film but a conspiracy realists dream , lots of things tying into the current world situation I won't list em here so this gets posted except this film was made in 2018 , an agenda bender made by those in the Know, oh yeah Sean of the dead was 20 years ago and people still think they can out out do it.
JUST DONT.
Labowski692 June 2019
Ignore the whiners who rated this poorly-- This is a grown-up film
vegicat21 July 2019
No idea why some reviewer was bitching about "a pile of trash filmed entirely in a crappy Brit apartment. Boo. Cmon Britain!! Really??" They don't even know that it's a Swedish movie written and directed by Antonio Steve Tublén who is a Swedish director, screenwriter and composer? Produced in Denmark and Sweden, NOT BRITAIN? If you have to slag on Brits for a Swedish film, you shouldn't be writing reviews.
That said, they obviously couldn't handle a zombie movie that wasn't a clone of The Walking dead with tons of zombies being decapitated in gory ways every five seconds.
This isn't some cheap-assed, basic, zombie slasher apocalypse action movie. If all you're looking for is gore, or a movie that follows the same-old same old, this is not the movie for you. This isn't a movie for people who personally dream of someday magically riding imaginary "apocalypse" horses when they never even saw a real horse before, imagining they're some bad-ass who would be fighting the "bad guys" instead of actually hiding in their basement, impaling the undead, wearing Mad Max clothes, and who want their movies to end in a juvenile, adolescent, non-realistic blaze of glory.
This is a movie for people a little bit more down to Earth who know that in REAL life, most people would be no match for zombies. It's a movie for people who don't have a heart attack if someone actually is depicted as having a real relationship for more than two seconds in a horror movie instead of just having gratuitous snippets of sex for teen eye candy in-between gloriously slaughtering a gazillion zombies with a convenient set of airplane propellers or somesuch. Like I said, this is a movies for grown-ups, with a nice bit of humor added.
If you didn't like this movie (or didn't watch it because in the first 3 seconds there was no tough warrior-dude whacking zombies) please do everyone a favor and do not watch Better Off Zed, or Right At Your Door, and then rate them poorly too. You're not adult enough to appreciate them.
That said, they obviously couldn't handle a zombie movie that wasn't a clone of The Walking dead with tons of zombies being decapitated in gory ways every five seconds.
This isn't some cheap-assed, basic, zombie slasher apocalypse action movie. If all you're looking for is gore, or a movie that follows the same-old same old, this is not the movie for you. This isn't a movie for people who personally dream of someday magically riding imaginary "apocalypse" horses when they never even saw a real horse before, imagining they're some bad-ass who would be fighting the "bad guys" instead of actually hiding in their basement, impaling the undead, wearing Mad Max clothes, and who want their movies to end in a juvenile, adolescent, non-realistic blaze of glory.
This is a movie for people a little bit more down to Earth who know that in REAL life, most people would be no match for zombies. It's a movie for people who don't have a heart attack if someone actually is depicted as having a real relationship for more than two seconds in a horror movie instead of just having gratuitous snippets of sex for teen eye candy in-between gloriously slaughtering a gazillion zombies with a convenient set of airplane propellers or somesuch. Like I said, this is a movies for grown-ups, with a nice bit of humor added.
If you didn't like this movie (or didn't watch it because in the first 3 seconds there was no tough warrior-dude whacking zombies) please do everyone a favor and do not watch Better Off Zed, or Right At Your Door, and then rate them poorly too. You're not adult enough to appreciate them.
Wasting my time..
takumimitsui10 June 2019
Warning: Spoilers
A couple living together.. suddenly a zombie apocalyptic come.. try to survive by steal stuff.. later come another guy their treat like a slave. Why just ask them find food like their do.. both of them die by drug their thought wanna kill them.. rescue come there have a broken attic why not go there.. open the door her girlfriend been bit.. but the question why zombie not broke their door??? Later both become zombie n been attack by rescue team
Great premise, somewhat shorty execution
kaitdayze27 November 2021
The story moves quite rapidly for the first 30 minutes. It utilizes cuts to progress the plot rather than ease the transitions with viable dialogue. This lead to the introductory 1/3 of the movie leaving me without a connection to the characters since their personalities weren't even half developed.
However, things take a turn after the rising action occurs. The story starts to slow down and take a steady pace, easing me in rather than just throwing me into another random scenario along with the couple. Though, after one of the characters makes a crucial mistake and the events thereafter occur, things were wrapped up too quick. Meaning that trouble just arrived and 3 minutes later everything is ok again and we're not on to the next day. I truly with the situation was drawn out more to increase the intensity of the scene.
The ending was a little transcribed but, the tone was correct in every way. Leaving me feeling a bit hopeless and dejected. I felt the last 40 minutes of the film were it's strongest, and there, I saw the characters develop and was finally able to connect to them. That is what made the ending effective, which is why I don't understand why the same effort and writing couldn't have been included earlier in the movie. I dare say that it felt like two different people wrote this, with the better one taking over about halfway through the story.
Lastly, the score was a hit or miss. I found myself drawn away from the scenes because the music wasn't matching the tone nor actions of the characters. Other times, the score did just that, but not so much so that it increased my engagement with the scene. But, the camera angles made me feel like I was with John and Karen in their English flat, so the camera work was in no doubt the strongest part of this movie.
I actually enjoyed the film, but I'm not certain I could recommend it to someone else. But, if you are reading this to determine if you should watch it or not, I say if you are already here expressing interest, you should go ahead and watch it.
However, things take a turn after the rising action occurs. The story starts to slow down and take a steady pace, easing me in rather than just throwing me into another random scenario along with the couple. Though, after one of the characters makes a crucial mistake and the events thereafter occur, things were wrapped up too quick. Meaning that trouble just arrived and 3 minutes later everything is ok again and we're not on to the next day. I truly with the situation was drawn out more to increase the intensity of the scene.
The ending was a little transcribed but, the tone was correct in every way. Leaving me feeling a bit hopeless and dejected. I felt the last 40 minutes of the film were it's strongest, and there, I saw the characters develop and was finally able to connect to them. That is what made the ending effective, which is why I don't understand why the same effort and writing couldn't have been included earlier in the movie. I dare say that it felt like two different people wrote this, with the better one taking over about halfway through the story.
Lastly, the score was a hit or miss. I found myself drawn away from the scenes because the music wasn't matching the tone nor actions of the characters. Other times, the score did just that, but not so much so that it increased my engagement with the scene. But, the camera angles made me feel like I was with John and Karen in their English flat, so the camera work was in no doubt the strongest part of this movie.
I actually enjoyed the film, but I'm not certain I could recommend it to someone else. But, if you are reading this to determine if you should watch it or not, I say if you are already here expressing interest, you should go ahead and watch it.
Little gem
mattdevon5 December 2019
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