'Pride and Prejudice and Zombies' Comes to Life

"My daughters are trained for battle, sir, not the kitchen," Mr. Bennet says midway through “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies,” a film based on Seth Grahame-Smith’s Jane Austen adaptation. Though the concept of mixing the supernatural with a beloved Austen classic might sound bizarre, “Zombies” makes it work with a strong cast, stellar cinematography, and a script that perfectly blends the language of nineteenth century England with the tropes of a monster movie.

"Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" is exactly what the title suggests: A story of love, misconception, and the undead. Elizabeth Bennet (Lily James) is not the iron-willed young lady of the British Regency that readers have come to know through Austen’s book. Rather, she is all that and more––a skilled warrior, trained in the art of zombie-killing. While battling the undead, Elizabeth and her four sisters navigate the social customs of the British Regency as their mother desperately attempts to marry them off. Thankfully for Mrs. Bennet, Jane Bennet (Bella Heathcote) and Elizabeth catch the eyes of the incredibly wealthy Mr. Bingley (Douglas Booth) and Mr. Darcy (Sam Riley), respectively. Drama ensues as the zombies grow in intellect and numbers, and Elizabeth soon finds herself wrapped up in bloody warfare and her own confused feelings of love.

The plot follows the “Pride and Prejudice” timeline smoothly, with the addition of a zombie-fighting lifestyle. The script seamlessly weaves both concepts together through exhilarating action and quick dialogue. The Bennet sisters casually polish their weapons as their parents argue about whether studying combat in Japan is better-suited for young ladies than studying combat in China, as if they were arguing whether piano or painting were a better art form for the sisters to take up. At times, this combination also emphasizes certain feelings in a scene, like when Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy nearly kill each other as they argue about whether or not Mr. Bingley and Jane should be a couple. Both parties’ anger is manifested in the dialogue and in how Elizabeth nearly stabs Mr. Darcy’s prejudiced heart—metaphorically and literally.

While performing a script that requires actors to brandish swords while maintaining the propriety of Austen’s original ladies and gentlemen, several members of the "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" cast shine. In particular, Lily James accurately emulates the stubborn nature and steadfast familial love Elizabeth for which is known, both when socializing and while on the battlefield. “My courage always rises with every attempt to intimidate me,” she scoffs as a man possibly twice her weight nearly chokes her to death in order to prevent her from marrying Mr. Darcy. Her face and tone of voice consistently reflect a mix of dignified anger and resolve, matching Elizabeth’s character perfectly. As the protagonist, it’s no surprise that she anchors the movie with exceptional acting.

The same cannot be said for Sam Riley, however, whose portrayal of Mr. Darcy falls flat. Though quiet and reserved, he doesn’t possess the same level of haughtiness for which Elizabeth is suppose to hate Mr. Darcy. Thankfully, other actors make up for Riley’s subpar performance—notably Matt Smith, whose role as Mr. Collins is astoundingly fitting. Thanks to Smith, Collins is awkward, somewhat goofy, and entirely devoid of social tact, just as he should be. Smith overexaggerates Collins’s character in a comical fashion, drawing out his voice as he lauds about the great Lady Catherine de Bourgh and adopting a high-tilting one as he repeatedly cries out “Splendid!” after a dance, much to Elizabeth’s embarrassment.

"Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" also delivers in terms of cinematography. Lighting is dark and minimal during serious or suspenseful moments. A slight blue tint is occasionally present, creating an eerie feeling, in scenes such as when Jane stumbles across a zombie family in the woods. Some poignant scenes, like when Jane discovers the truth about George Wickham and Mr. Darcy, are set against sweeping countrysides and bathed in a soft golden light. The movie’s coloring and lighting convey whatever emotion the movie steers itself into—a touch both beautiful and helpful in telling the story.

"Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" is an entertaining movie with no serious faults [or mishaps. Thanks to its experienced cast, lively script, and gorgeous cinematography, the film joins the ranks of other successful “Pride and Prejudice” adaptations, perfect for crowds who are looking to kill time in a fun way.

—Staff writer Grace Z. Li can be reached at grace.li@thecrimson.com