Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016) ★☆☆☆☆

Merely a montage of scenes where the Bennets’ shoot guns, perform karate and swing swords in pretty dresses. 

In 19^th century England, zombies appear to be ‘the norm’. The Bennet sisters: Elizabeth (Lily James), Lydia (Ellie Bamber), Jane (Bella Heathcote), Kitty (Suki Waterhouse) and Mary (Millie Brady) are not your conventional ladies, in this case. They are trained in the art of cooking, sewing and well, sword fighting…

Just imagine if Elizabeth had the choice between Mr. Darcy and his wealthy family of bloodsuckers or the human Mr. Wickham? The whole concept of “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” is far more intriguing than the film itself. With plenty of stabbings, skulls cracked, as well as shootings, there is enough violence to keep one going. But, that’s it. The vast majority of Austen’s narrative is omitted, but with so many extras thrown in, that the result is as messy as Mrs Bennet’s sentence structure in the novel. Aside from Downton Abbey’s Lily James, who handles herself well as Elizabeth Bennet, the remaining cast are forgettable. There is likely to be a niche of people who will enjoy this, but for the rest, it will only stick with you as an embarrassing adaptation.

The question is, who exactly is the target audience for this film? Fans of Jane Austin or simply “The Walking Dead”? Either way, zombie enthusiasts will be disappointed that there is more Jane Austen. And similarly, Jane Austen fans will be equally as disappointed by the zombies and shocked by this second-rate piece of cinema. Just another messy interpretation of Pride and Prejudice. Even the 2005 adaptation was more superior, to say the least. It is a truth universally acknowledged, that this film should not have been made.