Common Sense Media Review
By Tom Cassidy
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Some jump scares in drab R.L. Stine zombie adaptation.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Zombie Town
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In ZOMBIE TOWN, a haunted film reel turns the residents of Carverville into zombies. Teens Mike (Marlon Kazadi) and Amy (Madi Monroe) have one night to save its residents … and themselves.
Is It Any Good?
This flat, joyless zombie comedy bites off more than it can chew. Zombie Town shuffles around with no atmosphere to draw viewers in and no heart to make the comedy or romance work. Instead the snarky lead characters take way more pot shots at each other than they do at the zombies. They're apparently old friends in love, but Amy's constant ridiculing of Mike—mostly for not being able to urinate outdoors—says otherwise. When Amy finds out her mom is a zombie, miserable moping Mike couldn't care less. Its light jump scares work but won't thrill the target teen audience. But the lack of likable characters is the final death blow to this shambling monster movie.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Familes can talk about the violence in Zombie Town. Was it exciting? Thrilling? Scary? Is a certain level of violence and scares expected in a zombie movie? What's the impact of media violence on kids?
Why do you think Mike and Amy often communicated in insults? Did you think this was an effective way to share their feelings toward each other? What other approaches could they have taken that might have improved their relationship?
Which characters demonstrated courage, perseverance, and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths to have?
The movie is based on a book? Have you read it? If so, how did it compare? What other movies have you seen based on books?
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 1, 2023
- On DVD or streaming : February 6, 2024
- Cast : Marlon Kazadi , Madi Monroe , Dan Aykroyd
- Director : Peter Lepeniotis
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Viva Pictures
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Book Characters , Fantasy
- Run time : 92 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some language and bloody images
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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