Narrative structures of Zombie/horror Hybrids

Research investigation

Narrative Structures of a Zombie/Horror hybrid

For this investigation I shall be focusing on the narrative structures of zombie/horror hybrids in film productions because I enjoy studying the different kinds of "undead zombies" used and how the directors interpret them into their productions to make unsuspecting enigmas or horrifying truths that will keep the audience on the edge of their seats. I will be focusing on the zombie rom-com of 2013, "Warm Bodies" and 2007 "I am Legend" as they both spark ideas of different kinds of zombies- comical and CGI alone.

"A narrative is formed by people in order to make sense of a series of events."
All media texts have a narrative be it explicit or implicit like an advert. Non-fiction events are also presented with a narrative structure e.g. a scientific breakthrough.

"Images alone may not tell the whole story. That's where the narrative fits in." There are two main types of narrative structures, linear and non-linear or circular. Linear narrative was an idea studied by Todorov conveying narrative to have a chronological structure; equilibrium, disequilibrium, and new equilibrium. This theory takes into account that drama or conflict is the heart of any narrative.Circular is when a narrative starts at the end and then shows the action up to that point, it can be only at the end of some do we see the narrative start to make sense.

When analysing the construction of the narrative we look at how the story was made, and when doing this we must consider what the stories about but not in too much detail otherwise it becomes story telling. Studying the theme of it for example, or why a certain narration is interpreted one way.

There have been many theorist’s who have tried to define exactly what narrative is, one theory coming from Vladimir Propp who came up with the idea of certain characters in films have specific narrative roles to play that are vital for the production to be successful. "Claude Levi-Strauss, all successful narratives have been driven forward by conflict by opposing forces- binary opposition."

I am Legend (2007) is a drama/sci-fi thriller hybrid that includes the use of "Darkseekers" a vampire like zombie that’s been created through a virus gone wrong. This film uses a lot of flashbacks which can be used to give the audience additional information, in this case allowing them to catch up on what has happened so far to make the main character Neville, behave this way. These flashbacks are used to signify past memories and the chaos caused by the spreading virus in this case.

"Flashbacks are a tool, a device, where the screenwriter provides the reader and audience with visual information that he or she cannot incorporate into the screenplay any other way." Syd Field, (1982)

The equilibrium here - the city- was at peace and carrying on with their lives until the need for a cure to cancer, suggested by Dr. Alice. This then started the disequilibrium as the cure failed and began turning people into zombie like creatures. Then at the end when Neville (Will Smith) finds the cure he sets a new equilibrium for the survivors. This is an example of how Todorov's theory works and can actually be shown in most zombie narratives.

The beginning of I am Legend was told in first person narration, coming from Neville himself, this shows the audience who the story is going to be about. However it changes at the end due to his death. Another character, Anna then takes over making the narrative change to third person.
In the first few moments of the film it introduces an official looking news report about the cure for the virus with a 100% pass rate so far. The first narrative code is then brought in allowing the audience to come up with their own ideas of what the stories going to be about with the first enigma-why such an urgent need of a cure for cancer? Has is increased badly than before? Many enigmas are brought in within the first few minutes of the film, especially when we see the main character holding a gun. Questions like, what could he be planning doing with that gun if he is truly abandoned like the film so far has portrayed?

The opening sequence to "I Am Legend" uses different narrative codes well to make the audience think and ask themselves questions that they anticipate throughout the film, questioning if they will be answered or not.
The narrative shows one survivor Robert Neville (Will Smith) and his journey with Sam his dog after a plague of zombies wipes clear almost the entire human race transforming survivors into monsters within minutes. This follows the typical conventions of the zombie genre we would expect which allows the audience to follow the film on a horror level. The scenery, props and costume in this are used so effectively and precisely that they help to create a lot of suspense- leaving the audience anticipating what comes next, and showing that Robert truly is alone with Sam. As for the sounds used, there wasn’t a lot of dialogue involved but tense music hinting oncoming actions or jump scares. The dialogue is deep in terms of thought and speech apart from the occasional Bob Marley reference, allowing us to understand the character and almost be able to share his pain, this shows that the narrative has been used successfully.

When it comes to the narrative structure it’s mostly shown through the use of flashbacks. This allows the audience to keep up with the story, and follow along with the main protagonist – Will Smith. However, the pathos suffers when the character acts out unreasonably- when he meets the woman and her child. Which is different to how we have seen him react to his dog and the shop mannequins – treating them like a living human beings.


The second film is Warm Bodies. Warm bodies represents a much more modern view on Zombies, showing the newest interpretation on Zombies; a twist to the stereotypical views of zombies being unable to feel and hunger for brains.

Warm bodies is a supernatural romance that shows the consumers that not every supernatural film is following the Twilight romance saga. This flesh-eating zombie production begins to show its narration within the first four minutes of the film by the voice over. Even though the film shows the flesh eating zombies and the protagonist R eating brains and attacking people the audience, thanks to the narrative voice over, also gives the film more of a romantic and comedy feel rather than horror which is why this film appeals to teenagers effectively. For example the voice over says "Why can’t I connect with people?...Oh right, it’s because I’m dead."

"Narration, often called voice over (VO), is the off-camera voice that imparts the important information that the video footage itself doesn't." Writing Effective Narration (2012)
Let us not forget that the film portrays Julie as being able to stick up for herself and survivor, which isn’t what the typical princess or prize conventions usually show. Each character type comes with already made expectations thanks to the fairy tales they were collected from. The princess or prize is usually shown as the "damsel in distress." Meaning that she is rejecting the label Propp has given females in films. Which could be a reason why it appeals to all teens because not only does it have romance and supernatural aspects but also showing that not all girls wait for a hero to help them; that they can actually help themselves.
This film however doesn’t follow Todorov’s equilibrium theory where the main protagonist (R) doesn’t actually start out by living a happy life as the theory suggests. For starters R has actually started off as a zombie. His is the voice of the first person narration in the beginning; the voice over is in a simple teens voice sharing with the viewers the thoughts of this main character; giving the audience a surprise as usually zombies are seen as being the enemy. This will surprise the audience more as they are not used to hearing the viewpoint of a zombie, only of the living. In the film Julie explains it best when she says "We don't understand their thoughts so we assume they don't have any". But Warm Bodies shows us that some zombies, like R, our narrator, do have thoughts. And we're aware of them. As a result we’re able to empathize with the character. R is self-critical and as charming as a walking corpse can be. Even though he's killing people and eating their brains, we’re still able to feel for the guy.

The voice-over narration helps to portray the hero’s sensitivity "I just want to connect," accompanying footage of R stumbling around an abandoned airport on an ordinary undead day, among his fellow zombies in a post-apocalyptic landscape. Then when he starts to play a vinyl we get the first glimpse that he is different to the other zombies and we see is nostalgic nature. Like other films with romance it shows us the main character just yearns for company.
"I should take better care of myself," says the narrator "why can't I connect with people? Oh right, I’m dead." Here is the first sign that the director shows that the film is going to be a lot different to other zombie productions. Trying to block all critics beliefs on what a zombie should be like, and making them open up to a new idea. This twist on the whole idea of zombies shows the audience that they shouldn’t stereotype the zombies as being completely emotionless. There's a new idea now. None the less in reviews many have called this the "downfall of the zombie genre." Ari Carr (2013)

Zombies are a typical horror category who has built up popularity since the early 1920’s. They are shown as the monster who has come back from the dead to stalk and feed off the living. The narrative of the film is usually about a group of survivors trying to escape and protect themselves from turning into fellow zombies. In I am Legend the zombies developed through a virus not just a bite.