My Thoughts On ZombieCON Vol.1
If you're anything like me, you will never tire of Zombie films, and after the recently released Ziam and 28 Years Later, I watched ZombieCON Vol. 1.
ZombieCON Vol. 1 kicks off with four friends heading to a cosplay convention, and straight away the film leans into the competitiveness and tension of cosplay contests. They're not just about fun and fandom, there’s also some serious rivalry going on.
And the way the film captures this feels quite relatable, especially if you’ve ever been around fan communities or any kind of competitive group. It sets a nice tone that grounds the film before things get a bit messy.
The main character in the film, Rocket, is far from a perfect hero. He’s angry, defensive, and has a quick temper, especially with his friends. That makes it hard to immediately like him or root for him, which the film seems to be aware of, as it’s trying to build a redemption story, but that arc doesn’t always hit smoothly.
The zombie outbreak itself kicks off in a way that’s pretty barebones, with a magical talisman and a wish from Claire, who’s frustrated and just wants “all the assholes” to turn into zombies.
The film doesn’t waste time explaining how the magic works or why it happened, it simply uses this as the starting gun and gets on with the survival story.
The zombies themselves look OK, and they fit the film’s rough-and-ready vibe well. They’re more about chaotic energy than polished scares, and the zombie encounters fit in with the overall fun vibe of the movie.
These action scenes also lean heavily into the cosplay angle, and it’s an interesting twist, giving the fights a DIY, cosplay-meets-survival feel that matches the movie’s personality.
And while battles aren’t slick Hollywood set pieces, they feel fun and authentic to this group of characters, who are fighting in the only way they know how.
ZombieCON Vol. 1 is more than just about the zombies though, it's also about the friendships and dynamics within the group.
The way the characters support each other, argue, and stick together under pressure is also relatable, and it’s a reminder that the film is as much about these people as it is about the undead hordes.
By blending cosplay culture with a zombie survival story, ZombieCON Vol. 1 has carved out a small but interesting niche, and while it has flaws and gets a bit messy, I found it interesting enough and some dumb fun.
If you’re into zombie movies with a bit of a twist, this film will offer something different. It’s got some funny moments, and a group of characters you’ll want to stick around with. Hopefully, the next volume builds on this and sharpens what’s already here.