Zombie genre explores social collapse and historical origins

The zombie genre serves as a versatile medium for exploring complex social and historical themes. In graphic literature, works like ‘The Walking Dead’ use the undead to examine the collapse of civilization and the inherent nature of humanity when stripped of legal and social structures. Other narratives, such as ‘No Dawn for the Living’, utilize the trope to explore the intersection of war and supernatural horror.

Beyond fiction, the upcoming documentary ‘Black Zombie’, directed by Maya Annik Bedward, seeks to uncover the historical origins of the trope. The film traces the concept back to Haiti, exploring how the spiritual beliefs of enslaved Africans and the realities of colonial power shaped the modern zombie. The documentary aims to recontextualize the monster not merely as a creature of horror, but as a metaphor for the experiences of those subjected to slavery.