PopHorror Let's Get Scared
One of my favorite types of films is the horror comedy. If done right, they can be the perfect mix of gags and gore. Zombie comedies are a subgenre of horror comedy that has been done to undeath, with some being more successful than others. Recently, I was able to check out the indie horror comedy, Bong of the Living Dead. Was it a solid horror comedy or did it go up in smoke?
Bong of the Living Dead was directed by Max Groah from a script he wrote with Tim Mayo. The film stars Tiffany Arnold (Born Again 2017), Eric Boso, Daniel Alan Kiely (Axe Giant: The Wrath of Paul Bunyan 2013), Laura E. Mock (The Tribunal 2016), Dane Nye (Harvest Lake 2016) and Cat Taylor.
Plot Synopsis
A group of friends and zombie movie buffs have their life long dream come true. As their provisions run low, reality begins to set in and they realize that the zombie apocalypse isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
Going in, I expected Bong of the Living Dead to be your typical zombie comedy, but that wasn’t quite the case. The film starts that way, but soon focuses more on the cast smoking pot, hanging out, and occasionally killing the zombies outside their house. This works well, as we get to see the characters interact, get a feel for who they are, and see how they change as their situation gradually gets worse. This situation raises the stakes for the audience when things take a turn for worst in the second half of the film. It wouldn’t have worked at all if it wasn’t for the excellent actors and their chemistry bringing the group of friends to life.
Each character brings something different to the table. Hal (Kiely) is the lovable goofball who is deeper than he appears. At his core, he just wants to protect his friends. Christ (Boso) is the nice guy who falls apart when shit gets real. Kate (Arnold) is the voice of reason and the heart and soul of the group. Jon and Tara (Nye, Mock) are pair that everyone can see has a thing for each other, even though they don’t admit it and tend to butt heads. Last but not least is Danielle (Taylor), Christ’s love interest and a ray of sunshine peeking through the storm when dark clouds threaten to overtake them all.
Bong of the Living Dead works on multiple levels. It’s a character piece where people show their true colors when things get rough, and proves that sometimes the person you can count on the most is the one you least expect. The film is a multi-tiered love story that alternatively ends in tragedy and happiness. At its core, Bong of the Living Dead is a genuinely funny stoner horror comedy that brings the grue as well as the emotional heft.
Final Thoughts
Bong of the Living Dead is a heartfelt and hilarious horror comedy that isn’t afraid to rip your heart out. The film features a wonderful cast that genuinely makes you care about the characters, bringing equal parts laughs and emotional weight. If your looking for an indie horror comedy with bite and heart, I highly recommend Bong of the Living Dead.
