Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
A good Jane Austen movie, but a poor zombie movie.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 4 parent reviews
Based on 15 kid reviews
Kids say this film combines classic literature with horror in an unconventional way, but results in a mixed bag of reactions. While some appreciate the humor and female empowerment presented through the action, others criticize its childish depiction of zombies and find the storyline diverges too much from the original, leading to disappointment.
- humor
- female empowerment
- mixed reactions
- childish portrayal
- divergence from original
- age suitability
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Elizabeth Bennet (Lily James) and her four sisters are the daughters of an English country gentleman (Charles Dance). Their mother (Sally Phillips) wants them to marry rich, but their father has trained them to fight zombies, the outbreak of which has spread throughout Europe. As various suitors make their attentions known, including the brooding Mr. Darcy (Sam Riley), it's revealed that a certain group of "leader" zombies might save the day. But as trust is betrayed and hearts are broken, the battle between humans and zombies escalates, and the undead creatures must be contained -- at least long enough for a wedding between Elizabeth's sister Jane (Bella Heathcote) and the handsome Mr. Bingley (Douglas Booth)!
Is It Any Good?
Perhaps not surprisingly, this is a poor zombie movie, but it is a pretty good Jane Austen movie. When it focuses on humans, the mood is playful, buoyant, romantic, and even funny. Director Burr Steers made his debut with Igby Goes Down (2002), a literate movie about smart characters, and in adapting Seth Grahame-Smith's 2009 mash-up novel PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES, he clearly brings that penchant to Austen's creations as well.
Unfortunately, Steers doesn't seem to care about zombies. His creatures are fast-moving action-movie zombies (i.e. not scary). Plus, the film's fast, jerky cutting is clearly designed to minimize gore, and the remaining visual effects are third-rate. Likewise, the martial arts fight scenes, while well-choreographed, are shot with an equal lack of care. Eventually, action takes over, and the movie suffers through too many dead spots. It's too bad that Steers couldn't have hired a good "B" movie co-director to boost the movie's zombie half.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Pride and Prejudice and Zombies' violence. How much blood and gore is shown? How much is implied? What's the difference in impact? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
Are the zombies scary in this movie? How do they compare with zombies you've seen in other movies?
What is a mash-up? How do you feel about zombies being added to Austen's 200-year-old story? Is it funny? Exciting? Inappropriate?
How does this take on Elizabeth Bennet compare with other versions of the character, either in movies, TV, or print? Is she stronger? More interesting? Less interesting? Do you consider her a role model?
Zombie-killing aside, what conclusions can you draw about the importance of choosing a mate carefully in love and in life?
Movie Details
- In theaters : February 5, 2016
- On DVD or streaming : May 31, 2016
- Cast : Lily James , Lena Headey , Matt Smith
- Director : Burr Steers
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studios : Sony Pictures Releasing , Screen Gems
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Book Characters , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Fantasy
- Run time : 108 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : zombie violence and action, and brief suggestive material
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate