Set on the eve of the 4th July in Portland, Maine, Deb (Maria Thayer) is drinking in a bar with her friend Ruby (Julie Brister) who runs the local Christmas store. Looking over a crowded room she spies pretty boy Ryan Waverly (Michael Cassidy) Encouraged by Ruby, she takes a chance and strikes up a conversation with him. 

 

Despite being interrupted by his super shallow sexy girlfriend Stacy (Syd Wilder) who dumps him because he refuses to join the family business, Deb somehow manages to wake up in his apartment the next day. Believing it to be a massive mistake he kicks her out on the streets into a full on zombie apocalypse. Whilst trying to get back to their families, Deb and Ryan begin to fight for survival that can only be described as being the start of a beautiful relationship. 

 

Night of Living Deb is definitely a heavy weight in the Zom- rom-com genre. With a winning story thanks to writers Kyle Rankin and Andy Selsor, it blatantly takes the piss out of zombie stereotypes and flips gender politics on its head. Although described as ‘socially awkward’, Deb makes for a fantastic female lead as she shows great resolve and strength of character. 

 

Within the dynamics of the relationship, it is good to see the male character being the sensitive, tree hugging and friend of the earth kind of guy – with Deb making the decisions and leading the way into the unknown.

 

The zombies almost seem secondary to the story line as at the forefront we have a romantic comedy. However, they are an integral part of the story and they have certainly had some fun with them. Not content with zombies that run or crawl, we also have zombies that have carried on their disabilities into the undead state. 

 

What also makes this film complete is that Ray Wise plays the water company tycoon father of Ryan. Wise is as charismatic as ever with his dry sense of humour and great on screen presence. Plus with fantastic supportive roles from Wilder and Chris Marquette you really are in for a raucous time. Kyle Rankin who not only wrote but also directed Night of the Living Deb, has 

created something fresh and it is one of the funniest films this year.