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 here.
And if you’ve ever been around fan communities or any kind of competitive group, I am sure you will relate to some of the things going on, but it sets a nice grounded tone before things start to get a bit messy.
The main character, Rocket, is far from a perfect hero, as he’s someone who is angry, defensive, and has a quick temper, especially with his friends, which makes it hard to immediately like him or root for him.
And while the film seems to be aware of this, as it’s trying to build a redemption arc storyline, that arc doesn’t always hit smoothly, and you end up not really caring, when the film really wants you to care, but you are never given enough reason to.
But, a zombie film is about the zombies, isn't it? And the zombie outbreak here 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 pretty well. Don't expect polished scare attempts, as the vibe here is not serious, but it fits in well with the fun vibe of the film.
And 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 again, matches the movie’s personality.
And while battles aren’t slick Hollywood set pieces, they do feel fun and authentic to this group of characters, who are fighting in the only way they know how.
ZombieCON Vol. 1 isn't just about the zombies though, even though it's the main attraction, it's also about the friendships within the group.
The way we watch the characters support each other, argue, and stick together under pressure is also something I am sure many can relate to, 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.