Among the many different types of monster films that have inundated theaters over the last century, zombie movies have consistently maintained their popularity. Though there are many kinds of undead creatures populating the silver screen, zombies have managed to rise above all the others and continue to draw new viewers with each passing generation. Though their popularity has been the source of much speculation, most observers agree that there is no one single reason why people keep flocking to films featuring these denizens of the night.

Understanding the beast

Zombies had been in existence as a concept long before the advent of modern films. The creatures have been a part of various voodoo belief systems for many generations. Within that system, they were nothing more than reanimated shells of humans who had passed away. Those zombies were little more than mindless robots that existed only to serve the animator. As such, they did not possess the desire for human flesh and brains that later film zombies would come to exemplify.

In film

Once zombies made the transition to film, their very nature seemed to change dramatically. These changes were obviously intended to make them more threatening to the viewers. Many of the early movie zombies appeared as lumbering juggernauts that marched with but one goal in mind: to obtain and eat the brains of humans.

As moviegoers matured in their tastes, so too did the zombies they watched on film. The later versions of the zombie advanced from brain-eating to the consumption of every part of the human anatomy. Moreover, many films began to portray these creatures as being far quicker than the earlier portrayals. Still others added a basic organization to the zombie packs.

The underlying meaning

To understand why zombies are such a big draw at the theaters, it is necessary to understand what they mean to many viewers. Obviously, there is a primal connection between the viewers and this particular type of monster, since new films featuring these monsters seem to come out each year. With so many of these new films closely resembling previous offerings, interest in them must be driven by some basic emotional need on the part of the fans.

It has often been mentioned that zombies have been used repeatedly as stand-ins for other psychological menaces. Earlier in the last century they often served as a psychological substitute for what many in the West saw as a communist horde intent on domination. As times have changed, the zombies have come to represent new fears, such as the human dread of unleashed radiation or viral outbreaks.

It is this power to draw upon the human angst that best explains the continuing interest in films featuring zombies. By their very nature, these creatures provide every viewer with the opportunity to project personal fears onto the zombie menace. Young people who fear being alone often relate to the film heroes\’ forced isolation. People of all age groups are able to find something to relate to on a primal level.

Whatever the reasons for their popularity, zombies are almost certain to continue their important role as the perfect movie villain. That alone should help to ensure that, regardless of how plot lines and monster abilities may evolve, zombie movies will always have a place in our collective hearts.

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