Warm Bodies (2013)

After R (a highly unusual zombie) saves Julie from an attack, the two form a relationship that sets in motion a sequence of events that might transform the entire lifeless world.

Director:

Jonathan Levine

Writers:

Jonathan Levine (screenplay), Isaac Marion (novel)

Stars:

Nicholas Hoult, Teresa Palmer, Analeigh Tipton

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nicholas Hoult	...	R
Teresa Palmer	...	Julie
Analeigh Tipton	...	Nora
Rob Corddry	...	M
Dave Franco	...	Perry
John Malkovich	...	Grigio
Cory Hardrict	...	Kevin
Daniel Rindress-Kay	...	Solder #1
Vincent Leclerc	...	Perry's Dad
Clifford LeDuc-Vaillancourt	...	Boy at Airport
Billie Calmeau	...	Girl at Airport
Adam Driscoll	...	Young Man at ATM
Chris Cavener	...	Solder #2
Jonathan Dubsky	...	Berg
Alec Bourgeois	...	Perry (11 years old)

Storyline

With much of the world's population now an undead horde, R is a young and introspective zombie. While fighting with and feeding on a human scavenger party, R meets Julie and feels an urge to protect her. What happens next is the beginning of a strangely warm relationship that allows R to begin regaining his humanity. As this change spreads through the local undead population like a virus, Julie and R eventually have to face a larger issue when the very nature of their friendship is challenged. Caught between the paranoid human forces and the ferocious "Bonies", zombies who are a mutual threat, R and Julie must find a way common bond bridge the differences each sides must overcome so that they all fight for a better world no one thought possible.

---

Plot Keywords:

zombie | baseball stadium | airport | flesh eating zombie | post apocalypse | 

---

Taglines:

Cold body. Warm heart.

---

Genres:

Comedy | Horror | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for zombie violence and some language

Details

Official Sites:

Concorde Filmverleih [de] Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 February 2013 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mi novio es un zombie

Filming Locations:

Montréal, Québec, Canada

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$20,353,967 (USA) (1 February 2013)

Gross:

$66,359,959 (USA) (3 May 2013)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Summit Entertainment, Make Movies, Mandeville Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Datasat

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When R is talking to Julie outside her house the scene is referencing to the balcony scene of "Romeo and Juliet". R (Romeo) is talking to Julie (Juliet) on the balcony.

---

Goofs

As R and Julie talk on a highway, behind R, there are two jet contrails visible in the sky.

---

Quotes

R: [trying to blend in while in the human city] H-hi.
[thinking]
R: Say something human... How... are... you...?
[thinking]
R: Nailed it.

---

Connections

Featured in Film 2013: Episode dated 6 February 2013 (2013)

User Reviews

More original than you might think

Finally the great zombie romance? Well, maybe not, but it's the closest I've seen. You get to see zombie life from the perspective of a zombie, who starts to get feelings for a girl who's alive. Through a set of circumstances, he "rescues" her and they take refuge in a grounded plane at an airport overrun by the undead. There were several original elements that I had never seen in a zombie movie. First and foremost is the narration by our young zombie giving us insights into his condition. He can barely utter words, but weirdly, in his head, he seems smart and talks normally. I liked that part and I was kinda sorry when he got somewhat better at talking, therefore evacuating most of his thoughts. Second original element was the romance. I wasn't impressed by it, but at least it was slow-building, somewhat charming, avoiding most of the disgusting stuff, and you kind of rooted for them by the end.

Third original element would be the zombies not stuck as they are. They can "evolve" (our hero) or "devolve" (bonies, zombies who shed their outer skins, looking almost like black ghouls or skeletons). Speaking of bonies, I thought they looked amazing, creepy even, but their movements were stiff and made them look computer-generated. Also, who knew that eating brains for zombies could be a way for them to live vicariously the past life of the person they ate, through visions. It's not even the only way they can "change", although the other way, though nice, seemed a bit far-fetched and too quick. Fourth original element was that there was sometimes a humanistic, hopeful even, vibe to the proceedings despite the dramatic elements. There's something at the end involving the zombies and the bonies that I had never seen before. So the movie is more original than one might think, however the execution wasn't flawless.

Sure, overall, I found the movie had charms, but for me the laughs were few and far between, like most romantic comedies I suppose. Because it's supposed to be one of those, but with obviously more somber elements. The drama could have used more "teeth" to make this film truly memorable and moving though. The movie even made me think of Romeo & Juliet as well as Edward Scissorhands, not bad stories to be associated with. The creators never really went into total parody or silly mode, which I think was a smart choice. What really took me out of the picture at several occasions though is that they didn't follow their own internal rules. We're told by our hero that zombies can only shamble slowly, yet not long after, we see zombies running. It's like they can have bursts of speed at will. Also, bonies, for some reason, move fast despite being in a more advanced stage of zombification. Also, I know it's a short movie, but zombies "evolve" too quickly, especially the best friend. Acting was fairly good, not exceptional, but I particularly liked the main character. Why? Because he's a nice, smart freak, quite lonely and having trouble to express his feelings in words and actions, but able to be slowly "healed" by kindness and love. It made him interesting and relatable to me and probably others. Yes, the movie could even be seen as an allegory on solitude, not fitting in, and how hard it is to truly connect to others in modern society.

Zombie makeup was rather minimal, and they managed to make the protagonist kind of attractive, in a goth-like way, mostly because of his great hair and pale blue eyes. I thought there were wasted opportunities with the concept, but it could have been done much, much worse. So, I liked the movie, I would even recommend it to most people not allergic to zombies to see a different take on them. It's very minimally bloody and the most "gory" part is when they show a zombie shedding his skin to become a bonie, and even that's not too disgusting. I think it would make a good date movie. Warm Bodies didn't leave me cold and the more I dwell on it, the warmer my feelings for it get.

Rating: 7 out of 10 (Good)