🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Joe Dante
- Genre: Comedy, Horror, Romance, Zombie Film
- Release year: 2014
- Runtime (length): 1h 29min
- IMDb rating: 5.4/10 (25,637 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 26%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A horror-obsessed dude tries to dump his girlfriend, but she gets zombified and wants to Netflix and chill… forever!
🍿 Burying the Ex: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Introduction: Max and Evelyn’s Strained Relationship
Max, a horror enthusiast working at a Halloween store, is in a committed relationship with Evelyn. However, Evelyn’s controlling and eco-conscious lifestyle clashes with Max’s interests and passions, causing friction between them. Max is afraid to break up with her despite his growing unhappiness.

The Devil Genie and a Fateful Wish
At the Halloween store, Evelyn makes a wish on a ‘Satan Genie’ idol that she and Max will be together forever. Shortly after, while Max is planning to break up with her, Evelyn is tragically killed in a bus accident, seemingly resolving his relationship woes. However, the genie’s magic has other plans.

Resurrection and a Zombie Ex
Evelyn returns from the grave as a zombie, determined to continue her relationship with Max. This complicates Max’s life, especially as he starts developing feelings for Olivia, an ice cream shop owner who shares his love for horror. Max now must navigate his feelings for Olivia while dealing with his undead ex-girlfriend.

Complications and Attempts to ‘Re-Bury’ Evelyn
Max struggles to hide Evelyn’s undead state from Olivia, leading to awkward and comedic situations. He enlists the help of his crude half-brother, Travis, to try and re-kill Evelyn. Meanwhile, Evelyn becomes increasingly possessive and begins to exhibit typical zombie behaviors, like craving brains.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Max (Anton Yelchin): A horror enthusiast stuck in a controlling relationship who finds himself haunted by his undead ex-girlfriend.
- Evelyn (Ashley Greene): Max’s overbearing and manipulative girlfriend who returns from the dead as a zombie to continue their relationship.
- Olivia (Alexandra Daddario): Max’s dream girl and a horror-loving ice cream shop owner who becomes entangled in his undead relationship drama.
- Travis (Oliver Cooper): Max’s crude half-brother who offers questionable advice and comedic relief to the bizarre situation.
- Crusty Old Cop (Dick Miller): A veteran police officer who provides a comedic cameo.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Evelyn: “We’ll always be together… always and forever.” – This promise, made near a ‘Satan-Genie’ statue, becomes the catalyst for Evelyn’s return from the dead.
- Olivia: “So I took off all of my clothes, and I stood right in front of him, and I said, “you either pick Jesus, or you pick me.” He picked Jesus.” – Olivia shares this story while on a date with Max to explain why she’s no longer dating a religious guy.
- Travis: “You’ve gone necro, bro!” – Travis, Max’s half-brother, casually comments on the situation when Evelyn returns as a zombie.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $2.5 million
- Domestic Gross: $30,478
- Worldwide Gross: $668,777
💥 Burying the Ex Reviews
Personal Review
I went into this movie expecting a laugh riot, and while it didn’t completely deliver on that, it was still a fun watch. The dynamic between Max and Evelyn was so relatable – that feeling of being stuck in a relationship even though you know it’s wrong. When Evelyn turned into a zombie, it was hilarious to see her try to maintain their ‘normal’ life. And Alexandra Daddario as Olivia? She’s just radiant! Definitely worth a watch if you’re in the mood for something light and quirky.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of horror-comedy”
- “Viewers who enjoy quirky zombie movies”
- “Those who like Joe Dante’s previous work”
- “Viewers looking for a light-hearted and funny movie”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Zombie violence and gore”
- “Crude humor”
- “Sexual content”
- “Strong language”
Professional Reviews
- Variety: “”Burying the Ex” doesn’t quite live up to its comedic potential, but director Joe Dante’s signature horror homages and Ashley Greene’s zany performance as the undead girlfriend keep it watchable. It’s a fun, albeit flawed, romp for genre fans.
- The Hollywood Reporter: “Despite a promising premise and Joe Dante’s direction, “Burying the Ex” feels underwhelming. The jokes often fall flat, and the characters lack depth. While the cast is charming, they can’t save this zom-com from feeling like a missed opportunity.
- AV Club: “Directed by veteran Joe Dante, *Burying the Ex* is scattershot in its success rate, but it earns points for embracing a horror-comedy aesthetic that’s more cute than scary.
Audience Reactions
Ashley Greene was amazing as the zombie ex-girlfriend, totally stealing every scene she was in!: Most people loved Ashley Greene’s performance as the undead Evelyn, praising her comedic timing and ability to make a zombie relatable.
A fun, light hearted mix of rom-com and zom-com.: Fun and entertaining way to spend an evening for lovers of old school horror movies
Overall Consensus: A lighthearted horror-comedy with a fun premise, but uneven execution. Ashley Greene’s performance is a standout, but the overall film may not appeal to all audiences.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film is based on a 2008 short film of the same name, also written and directed by Alan Trezza.”
- “Joe Dante, the director, is known for his love of classic horror films, and this is reflected in the many horror references throughout the movie.”
- “Dick Miller, a frequent collaborator with Joe Dante, makes a cameo appearance as a police officer.”
🖥️ How to Watch Burying the Ex?
Currently, ‘Burying the Ex’ is available for rent or purchase on various platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability through cable providers as well.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Burying the Ex, you might like these similar films:
- Life After Beth (2014): Shares the premise of a girlfriend returning from the dead and complicating the protagonist’s life.
- Shaun of the Dead (2004): A horror-comedy that successfully blends gore with humor, though with a broader scope than ‘Burying the Ex’.
- Warm Bodies (2013): A zombie romance where the undead character maintains some human qualities and forms a relationship with a living person.
- Idle Hands (1999): A horror-comedy with a similar comedic tone, featuring Anton Yelchin’s similar movies.
🛒 Burying the Ex Related Products
- Burying the Ex [Blu-ray]: Own the movie on Blu-ray and experience the horror-comedy in high definition. A great addition to any horror film collection. A collector’s edition is limited and includes exclusive behind-the-scenes content, director’s commentary, and deleted scenes. This enhances the viewing experience and offers a deeper understanding of the movie’s production.
- Funko Pop! Movies: Gremlins – Gizmo: While not directly “Burying the Ex” merch, Gremlins was directed by Joe Dante. Decorate your space with this Gizmo Funko Pop!, a must-have for any Joe Dante fan and collector. This figure celebrates one of Joe Dante’s most iconic films, offering a nostalgic connection for fans.
- Plan 9 from Outer Space (Blu-ray): Own this cult classic featured in the movie on Blu-ray. It’s the perfect addition to any fan of horror and B-Movies collections.
- Zombie Makeup Kit Professional: High-quality special effects makeup kit including zombie colors, fake blood, and application tools. Safe, non-toxic ingredients for realistic zombie transformations. Contains a variety of makeup products necessary for realistic zombie effects, allowing fans to recreate their favorite movie looks.
🎧 Soundtrack
Burying the Ex features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Main Title” – performed by Herman Stein
- “I Put A Spell on You” – performed by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins
- “Tonight You Belong To Me” – performed by Rosemary Clooney
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
‘Burying the Ex’ is primarily a horror-comedy with a greater emphasis on comedy. While it features zombie elements and some gore, it aims for laughs rather than genuine scares.
Filming locations for ‘Burying the Ex’ included the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.
The main theme revolves around the difficulties of ending a toxic relationship, even when one party becomes undead. It also explores themes of moving on and finding happiness with someone more compatible.
🔥 Bonus Content
Overly Attached Girlfriend Wishes On An Evil Genie To Be With Her Boyfriend Forever
Ever wonder what *really* happened in ‘Burying the Ex’? This video gives you the whole story in just 11 minutes! Honestly, it’s a great refresher if you’re a bit hazy on the details, and it’s surprisingly entertaining.
Girlfriend Came Back as a Zombie After Died | Burying the Ex Movie Explain in Hindi/Urdu Summarized
Want a super detailed breakdown of ‘Burying the Ex’, explained in Hindi/Urdu? This video is perfect! It’s like having a friend walk you through the whole movie, and honestly, some things make even *more* sense after watching it this way.
Burying the Ex Horror Movie Story Explained/Summarized in Hindi/Urdu
Confused about the timeline in ‘Burying the Ex’? This Hindi/Urdu explanation breaks it all down! It’s so helpful to have the entire plot and ending laid out so clearly, and it really highlights the movie’s comedic and horror elements.
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