Aubrey Plaza
Beth Slocum
Overview
Zach is devastated by the unexpected death of his girlfriend, Beth. When she mysteriously returns, he gets a second chance at love. Soon his whole world turns upside down...
Cast
12 people
Reviews
4 min readLove in the Time of Rot
I keep thinking about the way Aubrey Plaza’s Beth moves in Life After Beth. Not the grand, dramatic gestures of a zombie apocalypse—no, this is something quieter, more unsettling. She shuffles just a little too slowly when she’s not being watched, her fingers twitching at her sides like she’s trying to remember how to hold a fork.
And then, in an instant, she’s perfectly normal again, laughing at a joke, tilting her head just so. It’s the kind of detail that makes you lean forward in your seat, not because it’s scary, but because it’s human. Or at least, it’s trying to be.
Jeff Baena’s 2014 film is a zombie romance, but it’s not interested in the usual trappings of the genre. There are no hordes of the undead, no last-stand battles, no grand metaphors about consumerism or pandemics. Instead, Life After Beth is a small, stubbornly personal story about grief, love, and the absurdity of trying to hold onto someone who’s already gone.
It’s a film that asks: What if the person you lost came back, but they weren’t quite the same? And what if, in the end, that was okay?
Baena, who co-wrote the script with Plaza (they were a couple at the time, which adds a layer of intimacy to the film’s exploration of relationships), has always had a knack for dark comedy that feels just a little off-kilter. His previous work, like The Puffy Chair and Joshy, thrives on awkwardness, on the kind of humor that makes you wince as much as it makes you laugh. Life After Beth fits neatly into that tradition, but with a twist: here, the awkwardness isn’t just social—it’s existential.
The film’s premise is simple: Zach (Dane DeHaan) is devastated when his girlfriend, Beth, dies suddenly. But when she returns from the dead, seemingly unharmed, he’s overjoyed—until he realizes that something is very wrong with her. She’s moody, aggressive, and prone to sudden, violent outbursts.
Audience Opinions
Audience 5.8/10
"A quirky zombie romance that charms with its offbeat humor but frustrates with uneven execution and missed potential."
The film’s blend of comedy, horror, and romance resonates with those who appreciate its deadpan tone and Aubrey Plaza’s signature performance. latestnetflix.com's view is that however, many find the plot thin, the pacing sluggish, and the supporting characters underdeveloped, leaving the movie feeling more like a series of amusing moments than a cohesive story.
What viewers praise
- Aubrey Plaza’s performance Plaza’s deadpan delivery and unique presence anchor the film, making her undead character both funny and oddly endearing.
- Offbeat humor The movie’s dry, absurdist comedy lands well with viewers who enjoy its unconventional take on zombie tropes.
- Unique premise The mix of romance and zombie horror offers a fresh twist on familiar genres, appealing to those looking for something different.
Common complaints
- Thin plot The story feels underdeveloped, with many viewers noting it lacks depth and fails to fully explore its intriguing premise.
- Uneven pacing The film struggles to maintain momentum, with some scenes dragging and others feeling rushed or disjointed.
- Underwhelming supporting cast While Plaza shines, the rest of the cast often feels underutilized or overshadowed, leaving key characters flat.
- Missed potential Many viewers feel the movie could have been much stronger with tighter writing and a more cohesive vision.
Recommended for
Fans of offbeat comedies Aubrey Plaza enthusiasts Zombie genre experimenters Indie horror-comedy lovers Quirky romance seekers
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of Life After Beth: A Zom-Com with Heart and Hiccups
Life After Beth (2014) is the kind of movie that thrives on its oddball charm—a zombie comedy (or "zom-com") that blends Aubrey Plaza’s signature deadpan wit with Dane DeHaan’s earnest intensity. Directed by Jeff Baena, the film premiered at Sundance in 2014 before landing a wider release, and while it didn’t set the box office on fire, it became a cult favorite for fans of offbeat humor. latestnetflix.com's view is that Behind the scenes, the production was a mix of improvisation, indie spirit, and a few surprises.
A Sundance Darling with a Rocky Road
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B24SwYm3g5I
Life After Beth debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in 2014 , where its darkly comedic take on grief and resurrection turned heads. The film’s premise—what if your dead girlfriend came back to life, but not quite right?—was a fresh twist on zombie tropes, and the cast’s chemistry sold the absurdity. But despite the buzz, the movie’s path to theaters wasn’t seamless. Distribution deals took time, and the film’s release was pushed back, eventually hitting screens in August 2014 
. Its Rotten Tomatoes score (a modest 44% critics rating) reflected divided opinions, but its fanbase grew over time, thanks in part to Plaza’s dedicated following.
Improv and Awkward Magic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qglX6R20gJU
The film’s tone—equal parts sweet and unsettling—was shaped by Baena’s collaborative approach. Plaza, who also served as an executive producer, was deeply involved in shaping her character, Beth, a recently deceased young woman whose return from the grave is more inconvenient than romantic. In interviews, Plaza and DeHaan (who plays her grieving boyfriend, Zach) hinted at improvisation being key to the film’s humor. "We’d try things, and Jeff would let us go with it if it felt right," DeHaan said in a behind-the-scenes chat . Plaza, known for her improvisational skills from Parks and Recreation, leaned into Beth’s eerie, childlike demeanor, making her undead antics both hilarious and creepy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhS4W24hMTQ
The supporting cast—including John C. Reilly as Zach’s baffled dad, Molly Shannon as Beth’s hysterical mother, and Anna Kendrick in a small but memorable role—added to the film’s chaotic energy. Shannon, in particular, stood out for her over-the-top reactions to her daughter’s resurrection, a performance that felt both scripted and delightfully unhinged .
A24’s Early Stamp and the Indie Vibe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVtaRAAWJss
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjysgllBzHQ
Life After Beth was one of the early films distributed by A24, the indie studio that would later become synonymous with bold, genre-bending projects. The trailer, cut with a mix of horror and rom-com beats, promised something different . While the movie didn’t become a breakout hit, its A24 connection helped it find an audience among fans of quirky, low-budget films. The studio’s knack for marketing offbeat projects gave Life After Beth a second life on streaming and home video.
The Baena-Plaza Connection
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Huptg8wPEE
Director Jeff Baena and Aubrey Plaza’s creative partnership extended beyond Life After Beth. The two had previously collaborated on The Little Hours (2017), another dark comedy with Plaza in a leading role. Their working relationship was built on trust, with Baena often writing roles tailored to Plaza’s strengths. In interviews, Plaza praised Baena’s ability to balance humor and melancholy, a skill that defined Life After Beth . The film’s bittersweet ending—where Zach must let go of Beth again—was a testament to that balance, leaving audiences with a mix of laughter and unease.
Legacy: A Cult Favorite, Not a Blockbuster
Life After Beth wasn’t a commercial smash, but it carved out a niche as a cult favorite for fans of Plaza’s deadpan style and indie horror-comedies. Its 5.8/10 rating on SensCritique suggests mixed reactions, but its reputation has grown over the years, especially among viewers who appreciate its weird, heartfelt take on grief and love. The film’s low-budget origins and improvised moments gave it an authenticity that bigger productions often lack.
For those who love offbeat comedies with a dark edge, Life After Beth remains a hidden gem—one that proves zombies can be funny, sad, and strangely romantic all at once.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.