Life After Beth Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Boyfriend can’t handle his girlfriend’s needy tendencies, so death, resurrection, and a zombie apocalypse happen, all because he couldn’t just say ‘I need some space.’

🍿 Life After Beth: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Sudden Loss and Lingering Grief

Zach Orfman is devastated when his girlfriend, Beth Slocum, dies unexpectedly from a snake bite during a hike. Consumed by grief, Zach finds solace in spending time with Beth’s parents, Maury and Geenie Slocum. He struggles to move on, haunted by the abrupt end of their relationship and the things left unsaid.

The Unbelievable Return

After being suddenly cut off by the Slocums, Zach becomes suspicious and discovers Beth alive and seemingly well in their home. Her parents are concealing her resurrection, and Beth has no memory of dying. Zach is initially overjoyed but soon notices increasingly strange and erratic behavior in Beth, leading him to suspect something is terribly wrong.

The Zombie Girlfriend

As Beth’s condition worsens, she displays violent tendencies, memory loss, and an insatiable craving for smooth jazz and attics. Meanwhile, a series of bizarre incidents plague the town, hinting at a widespread reanimation of the dead. Zach must grapple with the reality that Beth is not the girl he once knew and that their relationship is now fraught with dangerous consequences.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Beth Slocum (Aubrey Plaza): A young woman who mysteriously returns from the dead as a zombie, causing complications for her boyfriend and family.
• Zach Orfman (Dane DeHaan): Beth’s boyfriend who initially rejoices at her return but struggles to cope with her increasingly erratic behavior and zombie nature.
• Maury Slocum (John C. Reilly): Beth’s father who, along with his wife, tries to maintain a semblance of normalcy despite his daughter’s undead state.
• Geenie Slocum (Molly Shannon): Beth’s mother who is in denial about her daughter’s death and is determined to keep her resurrection a secret.
• Erica Wexler (Anna Kendrick): Zach’s childhood friend who offers him support and becomes a potential new love interest as he deals with the situation with Beth.
• Kyle Orfman (Matthew Gray Gubler): Zach’s brother, a security guard, who initially dismisses Zach’s concerns about Beth but later becomes involved in the zombie outbreak.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Maury Slocum: “She’s resurrected!” – Maury exclaims this in disbelief when Zach suggests Beth might be a zombie.
• Zach Orfman: “Now, I just kind of wish she would stay dead.” – Zach confesses his conflicted feelings to Erica, realizing the complications of Beth’s return.
• Beth Slocum: “Lavender! It’s so pretty!” – Beth says this with enthusiasm as she becomes increasingly obsessed with certain stimuli and sensations.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2.4M
• Domestic Gross: $88,273
• Worldwide Gross: $274,717

💥 Life After Beth Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so ‘Life After Beth’ is one of those movies where you either love it or hate it. For me, it was a quirky, fun ride. I loved Aubrey Plaza’s deadpan delivery as a zombie, and John C. Reilly and Molly Shannon were hilarious as her clueless parents. The scene where Beth goes ballistic at the beach? Comedy gold! It’s not perfect, but if you’re looking for something different, give it a shot. You might be surprised.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of dark comedies with a quirky edge”
  • “Viewers interested in zombie movies that subvert genre tropes”
  • “Aubrey Plaza fans”
  • “Those who appreciate movies that explore themes of grief and relationships in unconventional ways”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Zombie violence and gore”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Some sexual content”
  • “Themes of death and grief”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “Despite a promising premise and strong performances, ‘Life After Beth’ struggles to balance its comedic and horror elements, resulting in a tonally uneven experience. While Plaza shines as the undead Beth, the film ultimately feels like a missed opportunity.
• Variety: “Jeff Baena’s directorial debut shows potential, but ‘Life After Beth’ is ultimately too quirky for its own good. The film’s blend of dark humor and zombie horror is occasionally effective, but the plot meanders and the jokes don’t always land.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “‘Life After Beth’ has some genuinely funny moments, thanks to its talented cast. However, the film’s inconsistent tone and underdeveloped story prevent it from fully realizing its potential as a zom-rom-com. A mildly entertaining, if forgettable, experience.

Audience Reactions

Aubrey Plaza’s performance as a zombie is hilarious and captivating.: Viewers enjoyed the unique take on the zombie genre and the quirky humor.

The chemistry between Dane DeHaan and Aubrey Plaza feels authentic.: Many praised the movie for its originality but found the plot somewhat underdeveloped.

Overall Consensus: A quirky and original zom-rom-com with strong performances, but suffers from an inconsistent tone and underdeveloped plot.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Jeff Baena, the director, is Aubrey Plaza’s husband. This personal connection may have contributed to Plaza’s casting and performance.”
• “The film’s budget was relatively low at $2.4 million, making its cast and quirky premise a notable indie effort.”
• “Nick Offerman, Aubrey Plaza’s co-star in Parks and Recreation, provides the narration for the Machu Picchu documentary at the start of the movie as a nod to her famous role in the TV series.”

🖥️ How to Watch Life After Beth?

Life After Beth is available for streaming and purchase on various platforms. You can find it on demand through services like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check these platforms for rental or purchase options depending on your region. Subscription services may also offer the film periodically, so be sure to check their current catalogs.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Life After Beth, you might like these similar films:

• Shaun of the Dead (2004): Shares a similar blend of horror and comedy, dealing with a zombie apocalypse in a lighthearted and satirical way.
• Warm Bodies (2013): Another zom-rom-com that explores a relationship between a human and a zombie, though with a more romantic and less darkly comedic tone.
• Burying the Ex (2014): Another comedy horror film about a man whose dead girlfriend comes back to life, though with a different tone and set of circumstances.
• Little Evil (2017): A comedic take on horror, where a man discovers his stepson might be the Antichrist. The humor derived from absurd, dark situations is similar.

🛒 Life After Beth Related Products

• The Walking Dead: Compendium One: The first eight volumes of the epic zombie saga in one massive collection. Perfect for those who enjoy a deeper dive into the undead world.
• Funko Pop! Movies: Shaun of the Dead – Shaun: A collectible Funko Pop figure from another popular zom-rom-com, Shaun of the Dead.
• Zombie Makeup Kit: Transform yourself into a zombie with this comprehensive makeup kit. Perfect for Halloween or cosplay.
• Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville: Engage in a lighthearted zombie battle in this popular video game. A fun and family-friendly take on the zombie genre.

🎧 Soundtrack

Life After Beth features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Smooth Sax” – performed by Steve Jeffries

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Aubrey Plaza and Dane DeHaan say the funniest scene in ‘Life After Beth’ didn’t make the film

Ever wonder what gets cut from a movie? Aubrey Plaza and Dane DeHaan spill the beans on what they thought was the funniest scene in ‘Life After Beth’ that sadly didn’t make the final cut. It sounds hilarious, and now I’m even more curious about the movie!

The Playlist Interview: Aubrey Plaza, Molly Shannon and more on “Life After Beth”

Want to know what the cast of ‘Life After Beth’ really thinks about the movie? This in-depth interview from Sundance has Molly Shannon, Aubrey Plaza, and others chatting with the director. They get really candid, and it’s cool to hear their perspectives!

Frightfully Hilarious Movies You Haven’t Seen Yet

Looking for more movies like ‘Life After Beth’? This video highlights some underappreciated horror-comedies you might have missed! It’s a great way to discover new favorites, and I totally agree with their pick of ‘Life After Beth’ – such a gem!

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