TO SURVIVE 19TH CENTURY ENGLAND, THEY’LL NEED BEAUTY, WEALTH AND A KILLER INSTINCT.
In early 19th century England, zombies have become an existential threat; Elizabeth Bennet (Lily James), who’s been trained abroad in weaponry, meets one of the most skilled zombie hunters around, Darcy (Sam Riley)… The clever novel that fused Jane Austen’s classic with zombie mythology was a success, but this adaptation failed to excite audiences. Starts out intriguing and gory enough, with a few amusing performances, especially Matt Smith as the hilariously egocentric Parson Collins. But everything that doesn’t concern the zombies comes across as half-hearted.
2016-Britain-U.S. 108 min. Color. Widescreen. Written and directed by Burr Steers. Novel: Seth Grahame-Smith. Cast: Lily James (Elizabeth Bennet), Sam Riley (Fitzwilliam Darcy), Jack Huston (Mr. Wickham), Bella Heathcote, Douglas Booth, Matt Smith… Charles Dance, Lena Headey.
Trivia: Natalie Portman, who’s a co-producer, was allegedly first cast in the lead role.
