Z-MOM (2024) is a gripping horror-drama that reimagines the zombie apocalypse through a deeply personal and emotional lens. Directed by Jennifer Kent, the film delves into themes of motherhood, survival, and the lengths a parent will go to protect their child in a world consumed by chaos.
Set in a world where a devastating virus has turned much of humanity into feral, flesh-eating creatures, the story follows Sarah (Elisabeth Moss), a single mother navigating the ruins of civilization with her young daughter, Lily (Brooklynn Prince). After narrowly surviving an attack, Sarah is bitten but miraculously does not succumb to the infection. Instead, she becomes a hybrid—part human, part zombie—struggling to control her violent urges while retaining her humanity.
As Sarah’s condition worsens, she discovers an unexpected bond with the infected, able to communicate and even influence their behavior. This newfound ability makes her both a target and a potential savior in the fractured remnants of society. Desperate to protect Lily and find a cure, Sarah joins forces with a small group of survivors led by the skeptical but resourceful Dr. Ethan Marks (Oscar Isaac).
Their journey takes them through desolate urban wastelands and dangerous quarantine zones, where they face not only the undead but also hostile factions of survivors. As Sarah’s zombie instincts grow stronger, her relationship with Lily becomes strained, forcing her to grapple with the fear of losing herself entirely. The group eventually discovers a sinister government facility experimenting on hybrids like Sarah, leading to a climactic showdown that questions whether humanity’s survival is worth the cost of its soul.
