Why are we afraid of zombies?

Question

why do zombies scare us, they are probably the most movie theme/game theme out there. is it because we are deep down afraid of ourselves? our numbers? is it that the only thing that could drastically threaten us are ourselves?

any input would be interesting, i would like to see what you think our psyche?

Answer 1

It's scary enough when Grandma's teeth fall out, but when her eye falls out of her socket -- I'm outta there!

Answer 2

With the first zombie movie made by George Romero in "Night of the Living Dead," it was a socio-politically driven film. It was made during the times of a lot of social protesting of the government for civil rights and the Vietnam war. That's the main reason of the hero of the film being a African-American. But, since that film, the genre sparks the feeling of uncertainty of death when watching them. Many twists and turns have evolved with the genre, for example, virus created zombies. In most religions, the souls of humans are transported to another realm whether it be heaven or hell. The zombies are what humans are like without souls. no remorse. No thought. Just the basic instinct to feed regardless if the food-source is humans.

Answer 3

"28 weeks later" scared me. It was so frightening because the whole time I was asking myself, "could it ever get bad enough to do that?"

As a huge zombie fan, I think what is so intriguing and so utterly disturbing to me about the idea of zombies is the fact that they are human monsters. They could be your closest relative, your best friend, or even you. That's the real horror of it. If you were bitten by a zombie, you wouldn't just die. You (or at least your body) would become the enemy and contribute to the demise of civilization.

"28 weeks later" made me think about what human desperation can do to people. In the beginning of the movie, a couple that had been holed up in a cottage since the spread of the virus are attacked. The husband has a choice to either stay in the house and try to save his wife or to completely abandon her and run as fast as he can to possible safety. He chooses to try to save himself. Would you do the same thing if you were surrounded by merciless, flesh-eating, monsters who have every intention of eating you alive and then making you join their team? You might.

If zombie-like creatures ever were to occur, whether it be by religious phenomenon (highly unlikely, I know) or biological weaponry, humans would lose control. After the virus (or whatever name you want to use for it) became widespread, survivors would begin to view other survivors as the enemy. Every living human would become just another potential zombie, just another threat to mankind. All humans could turn against each other. I don't think that I could personally think of anything more horrifying if I tried.

So how do I comfort myself? I could tell myself, "it was just a movie, it could never happen," but I don't know that. I know I sound a little crazy right now, but I'm no scientist. I don't know if some terrorist organization of sorts could create a virus similar to the "rage virus" in 28 weeks later. Granted, it would be pretty difficult to create something sophisticated and potent enough to alter a person's whole brain function in 10 seconds, but I won't rule it out. I won't rule anything out.

There's scary stuff that's a lot more possible than zombies. Aliens probably do exist (you'd be arrogant to say with any kind of certainty that they didn't) but they aren't neccessarily evil. But the idea of the human race turning against itself, the idea of my own demise contributing to the demise of humanity, and the idea of a complete loss of control over myself and the world make zombies the most terrifying thought imaginable.

Answer 4

I think it comes from our fear of death. Deny it or not everyone is in some way afraid to die. But there is no such thing as a good clean death, the body evacuates fluids, bodily systems shut down. That happens to zombies but they are still animated and are coming after us, they are the embodiment of death we can not escape, we can only accept it.

Answer 5

Your existence is in risk. you have to be very afraid, they are out to get you. Plus, zombies can smash into your place and conceal on your closet, and consume your face in case you're sound asleep.

Answer 6

I am really glad that you brought up this question. I am Zombie and it is really hard for me to undertsand it as well. I only want friends and I only scare people away when I yell for them. We should have rights just like everyone else does, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Except mabye not the life, I don't need that. If you are interested in zombies and our thoughts read the famous book Frankenstein. He isn't a zombie, but he has the same feelings that I have been through. So thank you for reading my response and next time y'all see a Zombie please come and say hello, and just be nice.

Answer 7

Besides the brain eating, you mean?

Probably because despite our fear of it, we have some comfort in knowing that death is final and equal, it hits everyone the same. For death to have its meaning taken away makes us question everything.

Plus, the idea of our bodies functioning on pure instinct, without our intelligence being present or necessary, makes us feel irrelevant.

Answer 8

I'm not scared of zombies. Don't they only exist in the movies? If you're scared of zombies, that means you're scared of movies.

Answer 9

Hmm maybe cuz they are gross to look at. Possibly because its the sheer thought that one never is truly dead. I mean, I die and then come back looking all gross and then chasing live people just so I can eat them, that just turned my stomach thinking about it.

Answer 10

i think its because they used to be humans so its kind of like cannabalism. which is scary as hell. so ya. and maybe cause they are gross.