The overall score for "Life After Beth" on IMDB is about 5.7...which actually means it's below average compared to other films. Why? After all, zombie films are pretty popular...and why is this one not especially good? It's really confusing since the cast is excellent and it should have been better.

When the story begins, Beth had just died a few days ago. Her family and boyfriend are naturally upset, as she was only 21 when she died. But, out of the blue, Beth (Aubrey Plaza) returns home one night....and although dead, she doesn't know it and her parents refuse to tell her lest it upset her return! But over time, it's obvious that Beth ain't normal...and her boyfriend realizes it but her parents still are in denial. And, through the course of the film, the problems with Beth get worse.... MUCH worse.

So what went wrong with an interesting story idea and this interesting cast? Well, there are two main problems. First, the pacing is dreadfully slow at times and the ending just seems to drag on and on....and on. In fact, after Beth and the zombie outbreak is taken care of, the film STILL continues for a bit! Second, the movie didn't seem to know whether it was a comedy or a drama. I think sticking with comedy and really running with it would have made for a fun film, like "Ed and His Dead Mother" or "Fido". Instead, it's amazing how dull the film could be despite some really bloody and amazing scenes. Overall, it's a film strictly for zombie film addicts...others probably will want to find something else.

Beth Slocum (Aubrey Plaza) dies in a hiking accident. Her boyfriend Zach Orfman (Dane DeHaan) is devastated. Unexpectedly, her parents Maury (John C. Reilly) and Geenie (Molly Shannon) starts to push him away from them. They are forced to tell him that Beth has been resurrected. They won't tell her and are reticent to let her out of the house. Beth starts to be violent and volatile. Beth catches Zach talking to Erica Wexler (Anna Kendrick) and turns extremely jealous. Others in the town are showing violent tendencies. Beth turns full zombie and eats somebody.

It's a simple idea turn into a full length movie. Even with zombies, this is not really a horror. Aubrey Plaza goes all out. There is a little bit of fun but it never gets to be a full blown comedy. Dane DeHaan is not the right person to lead a comedy. The lead needs to be a young comic for this to be truly funny. Also it would have been great to have Anna Kendrick in more of the movie.

Beth (Aubrey Plaza) dies and leaves us with her grieving family and boyfriend Zach (Dane DeHaan). However it isn't long before Beth digs herself out of the grave to return home not knowing she was dead. Her parents attempt to keep her hidden, but Zach soon finds out. The decay process hasn't halted as Beth's mind also shows signs of failing.

This was an interesting take on the zombie genre. There were numerous humorous moments in this dark comedy as well as missed opportunities. Beth played the zombie aspect with decaying brain function very well. There were many unexplained aspects like why zombies like to be in attics or what caused the incident in the first place, or why everyone hates light jazz but listens to it.

I found the film amusing, but not a side splitter.

Parental Guide: F-bomb. Zombie Nudity (Bonnie Burroughs)