PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES

In 19th century England, young ladies from good families were extensively taught how to behave themselves in higher circles. After a zombie epidemic, self-defense against the undead was added to the curriculum. Mr. Bennet, the proud father of five daughters, has trained his offspring in using a wide array of weapons to fend off foul smelling suitors. The world might be ending, but if you can’t find a suitable and preferably rich husband for your daughter, you will be a disgrace to society. And that is Mrs. Bennet’s job. She wants to marry her eldest, Elizabeth, to their new neighbor, the slimy vicar Mr. Collins. But Lizzie has her eyes on the handsome soldier George Wickham. And then there’s rich but insufferable Mr. Darcy, who’s also keen on Elizabeth. Plenty of romantic entanglements, but you can be certain zombies will mess up any possible wedding.

“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife… that can cut off the head of a zombie in one swift blow.” is probably how Jane Austen would have started her legendary 1813 classic if our undead friends would have been around. The bestselling 2009 rewrite by Seth Grahame Smith and the resulting comic strip has now become a major feature with a top notch cast. Austen’s tale has been adapted for the screen countless times, but what writer-director Burr Steers (Igby Goes Down, 17 Again), has concocted has to be seen to be believed. Prepare yourself for a dashing swashbuckling adventure where even hordes of zombies are incapable to stop the smoldering romance. Starring Lily James (Wrath of the Titans, Cinderella) and Sam Riley (Control, On The Road) as Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy and Charles Dance (The Imitation Game, Game of Thrones) and Sally Phillips (Bridget Jones) as Mr and Mrs Bennet. With tasty supporting roles by Lena Headey (Cersei from Game of Thrones), Douglas Booth (Jupiter Ascending) and Jack Huston (American Hustle).