Nicholas Hoult Stars In An Underrated Horror Movie Coming To Netflix
Warm Bodies starring Nicholas Hoult will be available to stream on Netflix July 1.
Warm Bodies, starring Nicholas Hoult and Teresa Palmer, is heading to Netflix on July 1. Released in 2013, the movie is directed by Jonathan Levine, who brought an innovative twist to the zombie genre by combining the undead with romance. Drawing inspiration from Isaac Marion’s novel of the same name and infused with elements of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the film offers viewers a unique story.
The story is set in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies. Nicholas Hoult portrays a zombie named R, who is different from the other undead. Although he can’t remember his past or speak properly, he possesses an inner monologue and longs for something more meaningful than his life as a mindless flesh-eater.
During a routine hunt for survivors, R encounters Julie (Teresa Palmer), a courageous human survivor. Instead of succumbing to his instinct to attack, he experiences an unexpected connection with her and intervenes to save her from his fellow zombies. R brings Julie to his hideout, an abandoned airplane, where he shields her from the dangers lurking outside.
As R (Nicholas Hoult) and Julie spend time together, an extraordinary bond blossoms between them. Miraculously, R starts to regain his capacity to feel emotions, gradually reclaiming his humanity. Julie, recognizing R’s inner essence, begins to perceive him not as a monster but as a person deserving of love and redemption.
Their relationship challenges the boundaries of love in a devastated world, inspiring hope amidst the relentless chaos of the zombie apocalypse. Warm Bodies was praised by critics and currently holds an 81 percent score on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. The site describes the movie as a sweet, well-acted spin on a genre that too often falls victim to its brain-dead protagonists.
Additionally, the romance angle breathes new life into the zombie genre, setting it apart from traditional zombie offerings. Nicholas Hoult’s performance as R drew praise for his ability to convey depth and emotion, despite playing a character who primarily communicates through physicality and internal monologues.
The on-screen chemistry between Nicholas Hoult and Teresa Palmer also resonated with viewers, enhancing the film’s appeal. Warm Bodies achieved significant success at the global box office earning over $115 million. Its commercial triumph highlighted the growing appeal of the horror romance niche, demonstrating that folks were receptive to unconventional love stories.
Nicholas Hoult’s transformation into a zombie for his role in Warm Bodies demanded significant dedication. An interview with Vulture revealed that applying prosthetic makeup and contact lenses took approximately four hours each day. This meticulous process was essential in creating the convincing appearance of a decaying undead.
Still, the team faced the unique challenge of crafting an appealing look for Nicholas Hoult’s R. They aimed to strike a balance between the unmistakable portrayal of a zombie and a visually appealing figure that could attract the affection of a young woman. To achieve this, approximately 20 makeup tests were conducted, exploring different designs until the final result was achieved.
The airport scenes in Warm Bodies were filmed in an abandoned airport in Montreal, Canada. The desolate space was transformed into R’s living quarters and other sets, contributing to the film’s immersive atmosphere. This location provided a fitting backdrop for the post-apocalyptic world depicted in the movie, adding an extra layer of realism to the storytelling.
Warm Bodies unashamedly draws inspiration from William Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy, Romeo and Juliet. The film’s connection to the classic play is evident in the character names. R (Nicholas Hoult) and Julie (Teresa Palmer) serve as nods to Romeo and Juliet, respectively. The film also parallels the themes of forbidden love and societal divisions found in Shakespeare’s masterpiece.
By blending the gruesome nature of a zombie apocalypse with a touching romantic narrative, Warm Bodies successfully explores themes of redemption, the transcendence of love beyond boundaries, and the inherent humanity that endures even in the direst of circumstances. As such, Warm Bodies (led by Nicholas Hoult) appeals to audiences seeking thought-provoking cinematic experiences.
Nicholas Hoult will next be featured in Garfield. The upcoming computer-animated film is based on the Jim Davis comic strip of the same name. The movie is directed by Mark Dindal from a screenplay by David Reynolds. Chris Pratt voices the titular character. Samuel L. Jackson, Cecily Strong, Hannah Waddingham, Brett Goldstein, Bowen Yang, and Ving Rhames also lend their voices to the 2024 movie.
