To be honest, I’m tired of recent films using the pandemic as a way to develop a storyline involving horror– it’s not new and it barely brings something innovative to the game. TV series also did it when studios decided it was time to film, again; some shows were terrible at incorporating it into the beginning of their seasons, and others managed to get creative leverage for future episodes. In this case, The Zompocalypse Therapy Sessions, besides having a long title, is a decently paced low-budget zombie-themed horror that takes a page from Shaun of the Dead and brings camp-comedy to a new generation.

Erica (Blaze Lovejoy) is a therapist serving her most frequent clients during a zombie apocalypse– because help from a mental health expert is what is most needed during lockdown, even when her license has recently been suspended. Despite having her own problems: agoraphobia, a marriage on the verge of divorce, and clients being forced out of therapy before the end of their time, Erica tries to maintain control of her life under “the new normal”. She will be forced to decide between continuing living with her phobia or trying to survive with the help of a friend of an ex-patient. Will she be able to get ahead or will she stay locked up between the four walls that can only protect her temporarily?

The Zompocalypse Therapy Sessions takes place during a pandemic– a virus outbreak has made the world go into confinement, but nothing gets better as things escalate quickly and every neighborhood is surrounded by zombies. During its first couple of minutes the film has the essence of being the product of screenwriter who was bored during a Sunday afternoon, but this changes when you realize how sarcastic and sassy the dialogue is for each of the characters. Almost every scene has something absurd happening in the background while the characters act as if nothing was different from their daily routines, and when there’s no distraction behind, the ridiculousness of the script highlights the well-thought plot. You may be able to realize it does not take its role as a horror movie seriously by creating a satire of something recent. For some it could be considered as something offensive, but the way it’s being delivered helps avoid outrage.

I find it interesting when a film touches on personal issues, such as the situations some people lived in during lockdown, and attaches them to its story to create life lessons that, despite being silly, make clear the pros and cons of the free-will we have as humans. The decision-making of some characters isn’t the best, but this seems to be the crew’s way of portraying their vision of the moment. Although, the visual effects don’t conform to the best viewing experience for the audience– the FX and makeup are cheap and it doesn’t bother to make it look otherwise. Thankfully, the script is a little bit polished to stand out for its campy dialogue, and the campy acting helps it in every aspect.

The Zompocalypse Therapy Sessions could make you smirk. Besides having a brain, it also has a heart and a message at the end to make clear there is strength in unity, and brute force helps annihilate more zombies.

8 OUT OF 10 CEREAL BOXES