Why I Love Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Pride and Prejudice is a story that many have held dear in their heart over the past 200 years. Whether they first watched the black and white 1940’s movie, the 1995 BBC miniseries, the 2005 movie starring Kiera Knightly, or prefer the actual book, each adaptation’s storyline and characters provoke a strong emotional reaction to those who witness it. The themes are universal and timeless: the strain between the individual and the family, the freedom we ache for and what our social situation decides, the love and annoyance of sisters, trying and failing at understanding the other sex, and ultimately the power of how pride and prejudice can blind one from the truth and inhibit them from falling in love. 

Now, I was very nervous when I went to see Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, I was afraid the main themes would be forgotten and the characters I love so much would be ruined. After all, in my eyes, nothing can top the beautiful 2005 adaptation with the brilliant Keira Knightly and Matthew Macfayden’s sexy voice and eyes (sorry Colin Firth!). However, I realized as I was watching the movie, PP&Z doesn’t replace the previous adaptations, but instead creates its own genre and rank amongst the adaptations. Not only that, but the themes and characters were amplified with the addition of the zombies, creating an interesting new dynamic to the story. 

I laughed, I screamed, I awed, all the while my eyes feasted on the incredible visuals. I was constantly entertained throughout the 107 minutes and I was sad when it ended (although there is a bonus scene after the credits). Nevertheless, I left the theater feeling extremely pleased, happy, and willing to see it again.  

Here are a few of my favorite parts: 

1.) The Plausible Background Information on Zombies

The movie starts with a brilliant visual presentation of the past hundred or so years of England in this zombie universe. Setting the premise for a movie of this sort is extremely important, for the concept without context seems crazy. Somehow the movie laid out the history in an informative, entertaining, and plausible way, leading the rest of the plot and story to grow from a stable assumption that “Yep, zombies in 1800’s Europe is a thing that totally could have happened”.

2.) Girl Power

In this movie, to be an ‘accomplished woman’ women had to not only master the womanly arts, but the deadly arts as well. Get ready for amazing fight scenes in silk gowns, sisters sitting around polishing their guns and sharpening their knives, a father who encourages his daughters to fight, and–more often then not–women saving men. These days, in order for woman to be heroes or to wield weapons, they usually have to be either very anti-feminine or super sexed up. The fact that PP&Z mixes the strength of femininity with the strength of combat is impressive and refreshing. 

3.) The Proposal Scene 

Oh my gosh, I never thought anything could be better than the proposal in the rain in the 2005 movie, but this was HIGHLY enjoyable. Darcy proposes to Elizabeth (very poorly) and she gets so angry that she automatically starts throwing anything she can get her hands on at him, this then grows into Darcy and Elizabeth physically fighting and things get very steamy very quickly. The sexual tension that is present in other adaptations that makes this scene so damn heartbreaking is amplified with the closeness of the hand to hand combat. I don’t want to give anything else away, but this scene was really great and ingenious. 

4) The Hysterically Annoying Parson Collins & Notorious Zombie Killer Lady Catherine de Bourgh

The cousin of the Bennet’s, Parson Collins, is played by the crowd-pleasing Matt Smith. His portrayal of Collins brings the character to a new level of awkward, annoying, bizarre, and so very funny. I don’t think there was a single scene with him where I wasn’t laughing, even if he didn’t say a word, his mannerisms and expressions stole the scene. Other great actors in PP&Z are Lily James (Elizabeth Bennet) Charles Dance (Mr.Bennet), Lena Headey (Lady Catherine de Bourgh). Instead of having Lady Catherine de Bourgh be a simple wealthy aristocrat, she is an eye-patch wearing warrior who has won accolades for her strength in combat against zombies. She also delivers one of my favorite lines, “I do not know which I admire more, your skill as a warrior or your resolve as a woman.”

5) PP&Z is Silly, and It Knows That

The great thing is that Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is that is doesn’t take itself so seriously. The comedy is light and some of the situations are just so bizarre, and it revels in that bizarreness rather than shying away from almost impossible situations. It’s entertaining and not meant to be taken so seriously. Movies are escapism, and when we escape from reality we sometimes find ourselves in impossible situations, situations that this movie tackles head first with smart, crafty, humor. 

Pride, Prejudice and Zombies is out now–go see it!