Are Zombie Films Starting to Reflect Reality?

Are Zombie Films Starting to Reflect Reality?

With the likes of swine flu and other biological hazards looming over the world in recent times, it's no surprise to see intertextuality on the silver screen. The latest offerings for Zombie and horror fans alike seem to shape like a proverbial tail, the niche being steered in a certain direction.

Though not all bad, with flicks such as The Happening (2008) and The Crazies (2010) containing the key elements of a good horde movie; blood, gore, peril and everything in between. They do somehow however seem saturated compared to the classics of their time. With the characters reflecting on their situation to blame "the man" before finally concluding everyone's to fault.

Whether or not you welcome this element, it can seem to occupy the storyline, diluting the action. For example Monsters (2010) depicts a drawn together couple stranded in central Mexico, fighting to make their way to the border. The film in this instance showing a news report covering the border defences first being broken. A reflection of political concerns for one of the largest superpowers? Maybe.

To many the essence of the genre is escapism to another place, where only the primal instinct of human survival should exist. Leaving ones' politics at the screen door is the whole point of paying to watch a motion picture. So are fans' expectations of a post apocalyptic universe being shadowed by public opinion?

Though it's too much to expect any film to be void of opinion. Going back to even the earliest of days in the zombie fad with George A. Romero's master days clearly illustrating this. From Night of the Living Dead (1968) casting the first African-American in a horror films starring role. Showing the industry how things should be done. To a sequel of his nearly twenty years later Day of the Dead (1985), showing an element of discrimination toward John, a character played by Terry Alexander before "Bub the Zombie" arguably saves the day.

In essence even the classic horror films had messages to convey, but are recent servings changing narrative structures and going too far? Those that believe so, argue it breaks continuity and therefore the engaging experience. That views will always be tested on screen, but shouldn't be in a political sense. These films should bring audiences together not segregate them further.

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