Dark Comedy About Zombies Could Become Cult Favorite!
By Alan Samuel
Bad thi
ngs happen to good people. Maybe. Delicious dark comedy is on tap in Life After Beth. Bound to be a cult classic, this dark gem comes your way at The Rio theatre I’m Vancouver, one of British Columbia’s few remaining stand alone independently owned theatres. Catch it if you can.
Zombie films are an acquired taste. Fresh food for thought is this smart screenplay which revolves around two young lovers born to upper middle class parents in the comfortable U.S. What’s not so comfortable is Beth Slocum’s rather untimely death which takes everyone by surprise, especially her boyfriend Zach Orfman.
Together Audrey Plaza and Dane DeHaan are sensational as the star-crossed lovers who come to the proverbial fork in The road when Beth miraculously reruns from the dead. Shell shocked as well are Beth’s parents, the well meaning Maury and Geenie played to perfection by John C. Reilly (Stepbrothers) and Molly Shannon.
Tension and in certainty reign in thIs marvellous little black comedy full of delicious characters that are different and sincere. Just the right degree of curiosity envelopes the film which is well directed and written by Jeff Baena. Just a great supporting cast including Matthew Gray Gubler (Criminal Minds) , Anna Hendricks, Paul Reiser and Cheryl Hines unite to make this 98 movie even more engaging.
Classic fun with a penchant for taking a bite out of innocent victims fuels the wit in Life After Beth.
