An Underrated Zombie Show From 9 Years Ago Did What A Lot Of Zombie Movies Failed To

The zombie genre is a staple in film and television and there is one underrated show from nine years ago that manages to do something that many projects fail to do. From the classic flesh-hungry beings in Train to Busan to the fungus-like creatures in The Last of Us, zombies exist onscreen in various iterations. They expose humanity in an often cruel and gory way, all while bringing to life a fabled beast that has been a feature of stories for generations.

Some of the best zombie TV shows and movies manage to share something unique about such a popular genre. Netflix’s smash-hit Kingdom places zombies in the past and focuses on how court politics and class dynamics affect the strange outbreak. Meanwhile, Nicholas Holt’s Warm Bodies is a zombie movie that breaks the rules by making his character the protagonist of the rom-com. Each of these projects utilizes and enhances the zombie genre in different ways. However, there’s one overlooked TV show that aired almost 10 years ago that pushed boundaries in a way few other genre releases manage.

iZombie Is A Genuinely Funny Take On The Zombie Genre

It’s A Refreshing Change From Other Popular Zombie Shows

Compared to many other zombie projects, iZombie is wholly original. iZombie puts a twist on the traditional procedural TV show as its zombie protagonist assists in solving crimes. However, competing with the likes of The Walking Dead is no mean feat, leading iZombie to use its unique twist to approach things from an entirely different angle. As a result, iZombie leans further into comedy rather than the dramatics of The Walking Dead, making it stand out even further as a new take on the popular genre.

While using comedy in a zombie story is risky, iZombie makes it one of its biggest strengths. The show is well aware of the tone it wants to take. Its zombie protagonist’s name – Liv Moore – is a constant reminder that iZombie is not as serious as its main competitor and keeps the show grounded as a lighthearted twist in a genre full of darkness and gore. Plus, iZombie makes full use of Liv’s zombie needs by turning it into one of its best sources of comedy.

Every time Liv eats a brain, she absorbs the memories and traits of the deceased. This makes way for some great comedic moments as Liv takes on various personalities, ranging from a frat boy to a Dungeons & Dragons master. While this alone is a great source of humor, iZombie‘s relaxed tone and the talents of the supporting cast make this series feel like a breath of fresh air. The actors’ comedic prowess balances well with the crime procedural genre and makes iZombie one of the best examples of how to make the zombies funny.

A Lot Of Zombie Comedies Failed To Actually Be Funny

Their Comedic Focus Is Their Downfall

As shows such as iZombie prove, horror and comedy often come hand in hand and can result in a refreshing change of pace. However, many try too hard to be funny and lose sight of what they are trying to be. Jim Jarmusch’s 2019 absurdist zombie comedy, The Dead Don’t Die, is a recent example. Although the movie features an impressive all-star ensemble, The Dead Don’t Die’s ironic approach to zombies misses the mark with gags that continually fail to land and a non-existent horror threat.

Another example of a movie that focuses too much on its comedic premise is 2005’s Return of the Living Dead: Rave to the Grave. While the first Return of the Living Dead is a perfect example of how to mix comedy and zombies, Rave to the Grave falls at the first hurdle. The fifth installment focuses on a college student who distributes pills to his peers that turn them into zombies. Rave to the Grave is so silly that it’s mind-numbing and is full of issues, proving that not all zombie films can balance their comedy elements like iZombie can.

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iZombie Is Not The Only Hilarious Zombie Show Or Movie

Zom-coms Are Some Of The Best Takes On The Zombie Genre

While many takes on the zombie genre miss the mark, plenty of others manage to capture how funny zombies can be. One of the most notable examples of this is Shaun of the Dead. Director Edgar Wright builds context through visual cues that highlight Shaun’s view of the zombie outbreak. These range from cleverly placed parallels, well-timed running gags, and quintessentially British humor. Combined with Shaun of the Dead‘s refusal to undermine the harsh realities of the genre, the movie is a stand-out as one of the best dark British comedy movies ever made.

Similarly, Zombieland makes a zombie apocalypse seem like the best place to be. The main cast looks like they’re having a blast with the simple yet fast-paced narrative and Zombieland‘s refusal to take itself seriously is one of its biggest strengths. This feeling is similarly echoed in one of Netflix’s best zombie TV shows, Santa Clarita Diet. The series thrusts zombies into the heart of suburban America, attempting to keep Shiela’s craving for flesh under wraps in their picture-perfect neighborhood. Much like iZombie, these different projects prove that zombies can be funny under the right circumstances.

iZombie

After being turned into a zombie, medical resident Liv must periodically feast on human brains to keep the appearance of being human and takes a job at a morgue to sate her hunger. When she discovers that eating a corpse’s brain gives her temporary access to their skills, traits, and memories, Liv decides to use her talent to help solve murders.

Cast

Rose McIver , Rahul Kohli , Malcolm Goodwin , Robert Buckley , David Anders

Release Date

March 17, 2015

Seasons

5

Directors

Rob Thomas