Zombieland: Double Tap is a sequel that feels stuck in the past

A charismatic cast makes this an enjoyable watch, but don't expect a reinvention of a well-worn genre

Zombieland 2.
(Image credit: Jessica Miglio/Sony Pictures)

The long-delayed Zombieland sequel has finally risen from the dead, but in more ways than one, it feels stuck in the past.

Director Ruben Fleischer's original 2009 comedy came along at the ideal time, as the zombie genre was just reaching its modern peak — a few years after Shaun of the Dead, a year after the zombie first-person shooter Left 4 Dead, and just before The Walking Dead would become a television phenomenon. But after Zombieland's massive success, a sequel stalled while the genre exploded in popularity and zombie comedy after zombie comedy flooded the marketplace. In this saturated environment, making a truly fresh sequel that didn't seem five or six years too late was a tall order. While not without its charms, Zombieland: Double Tap ultimately isn't quite up to the task.

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Brendan Morrow

Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.