Common Sense Media Review
By Brian Costello
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Offbeat zombie movie has mild violence, bullying.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Zombie Bro
What's the Story?
In ZOMBIE BRO, Francine is a 10-year-old trying to lead a normal life of school, dances, and trying to fit in. Unfortunately, her younger brother Teddie has turned into a zombie, and he becomes more undead with each passing day. Her parents are too busy coddling him and playing favorites to notice. While Francine and Teddie got along just fine before he became a zombie, their relationship rapidly deteriorates as he tries to bite her in her sleep, and then he bites her best friend Calissa in the hand at the school dance. This results in Calissa turning into a zombie, and soon others at school turn into zombies. Francine must work together with her dad Rob, a police officer who is constantly disappointed in her and consistently puts her down at every given opportunity. Despite their strained relationship, Francine and her dad begin to bond during these trying circumstances. When Francine learns how to fire poison darts from her dad's collection of dart guns, she discovers an inner strength she never knew she had. Now she must find a way to stand up for herself and fight back against the ever-increasing zombie population.
Is It Any Good?
Those expecting Zombie Bro to be a B-movie about a frat zombie wreaking havoc on a college campus will be pleasantly surprised by this quirky movie. Those expecting this to be a brain-eating bloodfeast rather than the weird, unique, and hilarious indie film that it actually is will be disappointed that there isn't much in the way of gore or violence, but it's not like they don't have a whole slew of movies to choose from in that regard. It's as much a coming-of-age movie as it is a movie about a kid brother who has turned into a zombie, and the way these two genres play off each other makes this a whole lot of fun to watch. There's more Napoleon Dynamite in it than Day of the Dead, and it achieves the near-impossible: a fresh take on the shopworn zombie film.
Again, the quirkiness and oddball humor isn't for everyone, particularly those expecting more straight-ahead horror. But for families with a different set of expectations, there are plenty of laugh-out-loud scenes for tweens and adults alike. There's also a positive message that emerges loud and clear by the film's conclusion about how tweens who get picked on, put down, and made to feel inferior can learn to find the inner strength to stand up for themselves, no matter if they're contending with zombies, bullies, younger siblings, or parents. Zombie Bro is a pleasant surprise, a stand-out blend of familiar genres that carves out a space all its own.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about zombie movies. How is this different from most zombie movies? How does it convey that Teddie and others are zombies without showing graphic violence?
How is this a coming-of-age movie? What does Francine learn from the typical and not-so-typical challenges she faces as a tween?
What are your thoughts on the ending? How does it reveal what the movie is really about?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : December 29, 2020
- Cast : Lauren Grego , Anthony Taufa , Karina Bracken
- Director : May Grehan
- Inclusion Information : Polynesian/Pacific Islander Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Indican Pictures
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , School ( Middle School )
- Run time : 83 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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