Reviews: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016) Movie Review / Ending Explained / FAQs
Subgenres: Comedy, Zombies, Epic Battle, Hunter, Virus, Zombie - Comedy
Horror fans searching for a breakdown of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016) will find our review covers the plot, themes, and the shocking ending everyone talks about.
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016) Review – A Genre Mashup That Mixes Classic Romance With Undead Action
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016) takes Jane Austen’s beloved tale of class, courtship, and family pride and infuses it with a zombie apocalypse. What sounds like a parody is instead a surprisingly straight-faced hybrid of period drama and horror action, blending swordplay with social etiquette in an oddly compelling way. With strong visuals, stylized fight scenes, and a respectful nod to its literary roots, this film delivers a unique twist for both Austen fans and zombie lovers.
Plot, Themes, and Character Development
The story closely follows the structure of the original Pride and Prejudice, but in an alternate version of 19th-century England where the country is plagued by a deadly zombie outbreak. Elizabeth Bennet and her sisters are no longer just eligible young women—they’re also highly trained martial artists, educated in the deadly arts alongside their refinement in literature and manners.
As Elizabeth crosses paths with the cold and enigmatic Mr. Darcy, their romantic tension is layered not only with class differences but also with survival instincts. Meanwhile, the growing threat of a zombie uprising pushes the aristocracy and the lower classes into unlikely alliances.
The film explores themes of pride, prejudice, societal expectations, and independence, all reimagined within a world where the undead roam freely. Elizabeth’s fierce independence takes on even more power when she’s slaying zombies in a corset, while Darcy’s stiffness contrasts humorously with his tactical efficiency.
Acting, Cinematography, and Direction
Lily James delivers a charismatic and action-ready performance as Elizabeth, balancing poise with physical prowess. Sam Riley’s Mr. Darcy is intense and brooding, offering a darker and more militaristic take on the iconic character. Their chemistry holds the film together even as the plot veers into undead territory.
Director Burr Steers approaches the material with a serious tone, which helps prevent the movie from feeling like pure parody. By keeping the drama grounded, the absurdity of zombies in Regency England becomes oddly believable. Fight sequences are well choreographed, blending period weapons with stylized martial arts and slow-motion flourishes.
The cinematography supports the hybrid tone with lush landscapes and candlelit interiors that capture the elegance of the era—until the undead crash through a window. The visual contrast between refined society and gritty action serves the film’s central theme: survival doesn’t care about status.
Directing Style, Strengths, and Weaknesses
Burr Steers directs with restraint, which both helps and hinders the film. On one hand, the decision to play things straight allows for unexpected sincerity. On the other hand, it occasionally misses opportunities to fully embrace its own silliness, which might have elevated the entertainment factor.
The film’s strongest moments come when it leans into the contrast between refined dialogue and chaotic zombie battles. Elizabeth sparring with Darcy in a training room while debating social expectations is a standout example of this tone working well.
Where the movie stumbles is in its pacing. The romantic development can feel rushed between the action sequences, and some secondary characters—like Mr. Collins or Lady Catherine—feel underused given the potential for comedic or dramatic tension.
Final Verdict & Score
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is a stylish, strange, and oddly sincere film that takes a bold risk in combining classic literature with undead horror. While not every element clicks perfectly, the result is a fresh, energetic take on a well-known story. Fans of Austen, horror, or genre experimentation will find something to enjoy—especially those who can appreciate wit with their weaponry.
Final Score: 6/10
Who Will Enjoy It
Fans of classic literature with a twist
Viewers who enjoy stylized action and genre mashups
Audiences looking for a romantic story with supernatural flair
Fans of zombie films who want something offbeat and visually rich
Who Might Be Disappointed
Purists who prefer traditional adaptations of Pride and Prejudice
Horror fans seeking high-intensity scares or gore
Viewers expecting nonstop action or a full horror tone
Most Searched FAQs for Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016) – Answered
Is Pride and Prejudice and Zombies a remake or parody?
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is not a parody but a genre mashup that reimagines Jane Austen’s classic novel with a zombie apocalypse layered into the narrative. It maintains much of the original character dynamics and plot structure while blending in action, horror, and stylized combat sequences. The film treats its subject matter seriously rather than mocking it, offering a unique twist on the beloved source material.
Do Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy still fall in love in this version?
Yes, the central romantic arc between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy remains intact. Despite the undead chaos surrounding them, their evolving relationship follows a similar trajectory as the original novel—beginning with disdain and gradually turning into mutual respect and affection. The zombie threat adds tension to their dynamic, but their love story remains a driving force in the plot.
What causes the zombie outbreak in the film?
The outbreak is the result of a mysterious virus that spreads across 19th-century England. The infected initially maintain a level of humanity, particularly if they feed on pig brains rather than human, but eventually devolve into violent undead. The upper classes attempt to maintain order with trained militias, while the lower classes suffer the brunt of the outbreak, adding a layer of class commentary to the story.
Is Lady Catherine a villain in the film?
In a twist from the original Austen character, Lady Catherine de Bourgh is portrayed as a fierce zombie slayer and commander of an elite militia. While she’s still condescending and controlling, she’s not the central antagonist. Her role adds an action-oriented dimension to the traditional character, and she plays a critical part in defending against the undead threat.
Is there a secret villain behind the zombie outbreak?
Yes. The true antagonist is revealed to be Mr. Wickham, who is secretly aiding the spread of the zombie virus and seeking to use the undead as a weapon to overthrow the social order. His betrayal adds a political and supernatural twist to the plot, aligning with his manipulative nature in the original novel but taken to a darker, more dangerous level.
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016) Ending Explained
In the final act, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy must unite their forces to stop a zombie horde advancing on London. They discover that Mr. Wickham has not only survived but is orchestrating a full-scale uprising by using partially controlled zombies as soldiers to bring down the monarchy and reshape society.
Elizabeth and Darcy confront Wickham in a tense showdown. Darcy engages him in combat, but Wickham, now transformed into something more monstrous, nearly wins. With Elizabeth’s help, Darcy ultimately defeats him, stopping the horde’s advance and saving the city from collapse.
Following the battle, Darcy recovers from his wounds, and he and Elizabeth reconcile. In true Austen fashion, he proposes again, and this time, she accepts. The film ends with a double celebration: the triumph over the undead threat and the union of two fiercely independent souls.
However, a final scene during the credits teases Wickham’s potential return, hinting that the war against the undead may not be entirely over. This ending leaves room for future stories while delivering closure to the primary romance and conflict.
Similar films like Pride and Prejudice and Zombies can be found in zombie movies sub-genre(s), check them out for more movies like Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.
Sources Used to Shape This Review
Insights in this review are drawn from director interviews, fan commentary, production notes, and long-form breakdowns across genre-specific platforms. Content is written uniquely and reviewed for accuracy.
- Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Rating Scores
- Our Score: 6/10
- Overall Score: 5.35/10
- IMDB: 5.8/10
- MetaCritic: 4.5/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 4.7/10
Look here for more movies starting with P and here you can find 2016 movies to watch on your favorite streaming service.
Browse: Must See Best Zombie Movies / Zombie Movies List