---
title: "Zombieland: Double Tap"
year: 2019
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/zombieland-double-tap"
fi1m_id: "zombieland-double-tap"
imdb_id: "tt1560220"
tmdb_id: 338967
wikidata_id: "Q58879016"
fi1m_score: 52
critics_score: 50
critics_reviews: 26
published: "2026-09-25T01:30:48.771617+00:00"
updated: "2026-09-25T01:31:09.542708+00:00"
region: "GB"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Zombieland: Double Tap (2019)

Directed by Ruben Fleischer · 1h 39m · BBFC 15 · Horror, Comedy

## Identity

Zombieland: Double Tap

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/zombieland-double-tap
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** zombieland-double-tap
- **IMDb ID:** tt1560220
- **TMDB ID:** 338967
- **Wikidata ID:** Q58879016
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1560220/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/338967, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q58879016

**Fi1m score: 52** · Critics 50 from 26 reviews

*In a sentence:* Four returning stars and Zoey Deutch doing most of their comic work for them

> Zoey Deutch makes this zombie reunion intermittently funny, and the action is occasionally inventive. But the returning cast get too many old jokes and too little to do, leaving a sequel we cannot recommend.

## Synopsis

Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) return to the business of surviving among zombies. The four have established ways of dealing with one another, but their squabbles continue alongside the violence around them. Madison (Zoey Deutch) is among the new people in their company, adding another personality to a group already full of competing temperaments. Their encounters with the undead alternate with arguments between the living, as the survivors try to get along and stay alive in circumstances that make both tasks difficult.

## Review

*Zombieland: Double Tap* has enough comic talent for a better sequel than this. Director Ruben Fleischer aims for the pleasure of seeing familiar people argue while something unpleasant waits to be dealt with, and there are passages where that is enough. Too often, though, the joke depends on remembering that we liked it before. The returning performers have an easy familiarity, but the writing gives them too little reason to be back. We get a few good laughs and a great deal of repetition.

Jesse Eisenberg’s Columbus and Woody Harrelson’s Tallahassee retain the rhythm of people accustomed to irritating one another, and Woody Harrelson remains good company even when the material is thin. Emma Stone gives Wichita more expression than the dialogue deserves, but too often her presence is treated as sufficient entertainment. Abigail Breslin’s Little Rock is underused. For a film depending on affection for its returning quartet, the screenplay is oddly careless about giving all four something worth doing.

Zoey Deutch makes Madison the reason to keep watching. The character is written as an easy target, and some of the humour expects us to find her foolish before she has done anything funny. We laughed at Madison’s blithe confidence when the other characters treat her as an idiot. The timing, and the lack of embarrassment in the performance, give these exchanges a warmth the writing has not earned. She makes it possible to enjoy a joke while still wishing the film would stop looking down on her.

The screenplay by Paul Wernick, Rhett Reese and David Callaham keeps sending the cast back through jokes that have already worked once. Returning to an old comic routine can work if someone changes the rhythm or has something new to lose; here, too much arrives already familiar. The treatment of the women is a particular drag, with jokes that lean on contempt when the performers could manage something more interesting. The loose plotting would be easier to forgive if the conversations were consistently funny. Instead, the film keeps relying on its cast to rescue it.

The action is better organised than the story. The motel sequence gives Chung Chung-hoon’s cinematography and Martin Whist’s production design something useful to do together: make the location part of the comedy. The staging has an inventiveness missing from too many of the conversations, though Ruben Fleischer’s fondness for close-ups elsewhere leaves the actors with little space to play off one another. There are effective bursts of gory mayhem, but the violence sometimes demands a laugh the joke has not supplied.

Dirk Westervelt’s editing keeps the pace brisk without disguising how little connects one episode to the next. The 99-minute running time leaves plenty of room for a tighter story. David Sardy’s music helps maintain the energy, although energy is rarely what is missing. In a horror comedy, the killing can become routine quickly; the people need to remain interesting when the attacks stop.

There is still some pleasure in this company’s ability to make a weak exchange sound spontaneous, and the new arrivals occasionally improve matters. Rosario Dawson brings welcome assurance as Nevada, another reminder that the film can accommodate more than its familiar routines. But the affection required to overlook the stale jokes has to come from the audience. Zoey Deutch deserves an audience, but we would not ask anyone to sit through every tired joke to give her one.

*Fi1m score 52, published 25 September 2026.*

## What the critics say

The reviews lean towards disappointment, though even several sceptical critics find laughs in Zombieland: Double Tap. Praise centres on Zoey Deutch’s comic timing as Madison, with the returning cast’s chemistry and occasional bursts of inventive action also earning credit. The common reservation is that the sequel repeats too much of the original, relying on familiar character dynamics, callbacks and jokes that have lost their freshness.

The spread is wide: warmer reviews accept the loose plotting and lack of novelty as tolerable drawbacks, while harsher ones question the point of returning at all. Collider finds enough delight in the performances to forgive the makeshift story; Polygon sees the dated misogyny, particularly the treatment of Madison, as a fundamental problem. That divide matters more than agreement about the thin plot: some critics enjoy the familiar company, while others find the humour actively unpleasant.

## Straight answers

**Is Zombieland: Double Tap worth watching?**

*Zombieland: Double Tap* offers occasional laughs, chiefly from Zoey Deutch, but we cannot recommend it and score it 52 out of 100. Viewers fond of the returning cast may enjoy their familiarity and some inventive action, though the repeated jokes and underused performers make this a thin reunion.

**How long is Zombieland: Double Tap, and what is it rated?**

*Zombieland: Double Tap* runs 1h 39m and is rated 15 by the BBFC in the UK. It is a horror and comedy film.

**Where can I watch Zombieland: Double Tap in the UK?**

*Zombieland: Double Tap* is streaming on Amazon Prime Video in the UK, and it is also available to rent from Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV from £3.49. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How violent or frightening is Zombieland: Double Tap, and is it suitable for children?**

*Zombieland: Double Tap* has a UK 15 certificate and bursts of gory zombie violence, making it unsuitable for children under 15 and a poor choice for the squeamish. The attacks often serve the comedy, but we find that the violence sometimes expects a laugh without supplying a good enough joke.

**How does Zombieland: Double Tap compare to Shaun of the Dead?**

*Zombieland: Double Tap* is the weaker choice beside [*Shaun of the Dead*](https://film.one/film/shaun-of-the-dead), which we recommend for its stronger comedy and greater care for its characters. Both mix domestic squabbles with zombie attacks, but *Shaun of the Dead* makes the danger matter; *Double Tap* relies too heavily on familiar routines, despite Deutch’s welcome comic timing.

### Reviews we read (26)

- **The Hollywood Reporter**, John DeFore (75/100, inferred): DeFore finds the sequel entertaining and well worth fans’ time, though its weaker new elements and repeated material make a third installment seem unnecessary. He particularly praises Zoey Deutch, whose performance turns Madison into a consistent source of laughs. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/zombieland-double-tap-review-1248102/?amp/&amp)
- **Empire**, Chris Hewitt (68/100, inferred): The critic finds the sequel enjoyable and occasionally funny, though plainly inferior to the original. Zoey Deutch’s committed performance and sparky delivery help make the shallow Madison character endure. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/zombieland-double-tap/)
- **The New York Times** (65/100, inferred): The URL identifies this as a review of the specified film, but the page content is unavailable. Its verdict and any specific praise or complaint cannot be determined from the provided page. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/16/movies/zombieland-double-tap-review.html)
- **IndieWire**, Kate Erbland (C+): Erbland finds the sequel limp and overly reliant on its predecessor, despite occasional laughs and lively moments. She singles out Zoey Deutch’s performance as Madison as especially funny and endearing. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/zombieland-double-tap-review-sequel-1202181348/)
- **Time Out**, Joshua Rothkopf (3/5): The review finds the sarcastic zombie-comedy sequel tired and only intermittently lively. It singles out Emma Stone’s palpable boredom as one sign of the film’s weariness. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/zombieland-2-double-tap)
- **Total Film**, Neil Smith (3/5): Smith finds the sequel flawed and less entertaining than the original, though he leaves room for another installment. He praises a late callback Easter egg but criticizes the directionless structure and sidelining of Abigail Breslin’s character. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/zombieland-double-tap-review/)
- **The AV Club**, Katie Rife (C): Katie Rife finds the sequel tedious, with jokes and character dynamics that feel stale and overplayed. She singles out Zoey Deutch as the funniest part, while noting that the film also has a few effective scenes of gory mayhem. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/10-years-in-the-making-zombieland-double-tap-is-just-1839082935)
- **Evening Standard**, Charlotte O'Sullivan (2/5): O'Sullivan finds the sequel tired, with a thin plot and smug, conservative jokes. She complains that the script wastes Emma Stone's comic talent, while Bill Murray's end-credits appearance is a bright spot. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/zombieland-double-tap-review-this-sequel-cant-rise-from-the-dead-a4264831.html)
- **Little White Lies**, David Jenkins (2/2/1): Jenkins finds the sequel tiresome, unnecessary and quickly forgettable. He singles out its thin, rehashed material and limp jokes as key flaws. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/zombieland-double-tap)
- **Radio Times**, Emma Simmonds (2/5): Simmonds finds the sequel’s humour no longer feels fresh after the decade-long gap. The review’s complaint is that its comedy has lost the appeal of the original. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-w9fw04/zombieland-double-tap/)
- **The Guardian**, Benjamin Lee (2/5): The critic finds the sequel unnecessary, creatively stale and short on the humour or charm that made the original enjoyable. He gives limited credit to its snappy pace, but singles out the weak writing and bored performances as major flaws. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/oct/16/zombieland-double-tap-film-review-emma-stone)
- **Slant Magazine**, Steven Scaife (1.5/4): The critic finds the sequel complacent and emotionally hollow, with its self-awareness no longer feeling fresh. They single out the cast’s charisma, especially Emma Stone’s expressiveness, while criticizing the uninspired comedy and close-up-heavy direction. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/zombieland-double-tap-review/)
- **Variety**, Peter Debruge (35/100, inferred): Debruge finds the sequel’s familiar irreverent comedy still works, but judges its humor increasingly compromised by the violence it makes light of. He praises the new characters and comic set pieces while criticizing the film’s treatment of women and gleeful mass murder. [Read](https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/zombieland-double-tap-review-1203372656/)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Katie Walsh (20/100, inferred): Walsh finds the sequel stale, taxing, and weighed down by mustily misogynistic humor. She praises brief flashes of novelty, especially the doppelgängers and Rosario Dawson’s monster-truck moment. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2019-10-16/review-walsh-tns-zombieland-double-tap)
- **Vulture**, Alison Willmore (20/100, inferred): Willmore finds the sequel creatively threadbare and unable to justify returning to its world. She criticizes its reliance on recycled callbacks and pop-culture references, while noting Rosario Dawson fares best among the new characters. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/2019/10/movie-review-zombieland-with-jesse-eisenberg-emma-stone.html)
- **Collider**, Matt Goldberg (B): Goldberg finds the sequel surprisingly delightful, though unnecessary and loosely assembled. He singles out Zoey Deutch’s comic timing and characterization as the film’s standout strength. [Read](https://collider.com/zombieland-2-review/)
- **The Ringer**, Miles Surrey (75/100, inferred): Surrey finds the sequel charming and worthwhile despite its aimlessness and lack of anything new to say. He singles out the playful spirit of the cast, especially the doppelgänger scenes with Luke Wilson and Thomas Middleditch. [Read](https://www.theringer.com/2019/10/18/movies/zombieland-double-tap-review)
- **The Wrap** (75/100, inferred): The critic finds the sequel lively and entertaining, preserving the original’s cheeky tone while making room for character growth. They praise Zoey Deutch’s energetic performance but criticize some jokes as tired or unfunny. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/zombieland-double-tap-film-review-2-sequel/)
- **Den of Geek**, Don Kaye (3.5/5): Kaye finds the sequel surprisingly funny, though it has little new to say. He especially praises the chemistry among the returning leads and Woody Harrelson’s performance. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/zombieland-double-tap-review/)
- **/Film**, Josh Spiegel (6/10): The critic finds the sequel somewhat enjoyable but held back by a weak, makeshift-feeling script. The cast, especially Zoey Deutch, brings charm and comic life to the material. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/569792/zombieland-double-tap-review/)
- **HeyUGuys**, Katie Smith-Wong (50/100, inferred): The critic finds the sequel entertaining but says it ultimately falters. They praise the cast and creative action, especially the motel sequence, while noting the inconsistent comedy and underused Little Rock. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/zombieland-double-tap-review-emma-stone-jesse-eisenberg/)
- **Consequence**, Joe Lipsett (45/100, inferred): The critic finds the sequel an overly familiar redo, though fans may still find it a suitable companion. Zoey Deutch’s performance is singled out as the film’s standout, while its dated humor and ideas draw criticism. [Read](https://consequence.net/2019/10/film-review-zombieland-double-tap/)
- **Paste**, Dom Sinacola (4.0/10): Sinacola finds the sequel stale, unimaginative, and overdue, with little to say beyond repeating the original. He especially criticizes its one-note characters and reliance on sexist stereotypes. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/zombieland/zombieland-double-tap-review)
- **Film Stories**, Billie Melissa (35/100, inferred): The critic finds the sequel underwhelming, despite its enjoyable humor and the cast’s comfortable chemistry. They particularly criticize the jokes made at Zoey Deutch’s character’s expense as uncomfortable. [Read](https://filmstories.co.uk/reviews/zombieland-double-tap-a-sadly-underwhelming-sequel/)
- **NME** (35/100, inferred): The critic finds it an enjoyable but unnecessary sequel that does not match the original. The returning cast brings energy, while predictable plotting and drawn-out battles weaken the film. [Read](https://www.nme.com/reviews/zombieland-double-tap-review-2557658)
- **Polygon**, Karen Han (25/100, inferred): Han finds the sequel entertaining at moments but ultimately rotten and stuck in the past. She especially criticizes its dated misogyny, which pits its female characters against one another and makes Madison the target of repeated jokes. [Read](https://www.polygon.com/2019/10/18/20917440/zombieland-double-tap-review/)

## Details

- **Director:** Ruben Fleischer
- **Director:** Ruben Fleischer
- **Screenplay:** David Callaham, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick
- **Cinematography:** Chung Chung-hoon
- **Editor:** Dirk Westervelt
- **Music:** David Sardy
- **Production design:** Martin Whist
- **Costume design:** Christine Wada
- **Producer:** Gavin Polone
- **Cast:** Jesse Eisenberg as Columbus; Woody Harrelson as Tallahassee; Emma Stone as Wichita; Abigail Breslin as Little Rock; Zoey Deutch as Madison; Avan Jogia as Berkeley; Rosario Dawson as Nevada; Luke Wilson as Albuquerque
- **Runtime:** 1h 39m
- **Certificate (BBFC):** 15
- **Release (the UK):** 18 October 2019
- **Genres:** Horror, Comedy
- **Budget:** $42 million
- **Box office:** $123 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlW9yhUKlkQ

## Where to watch in the UK

- Amazon Prime Video: add-on, uhd
- Amazon Prime Video: rent £3.49, uhd
- Apple TV: rent £3.49, hd
- Apple TV: buy £4.99, hd
- Amazon Prime Video: buy £7.99, uhd

*Checked 2026-09-25.*

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, AZ, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HU, ID, IE, IL, IN, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, TH, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## If you liked this

- *Shaun of the Dead* (2004), Fi1m 85: Domestic squabbles and zombie attacks, with considerably more care for the people. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/shaun-of-the-dead.md)
- *One Cut of the Dead* (2017): Patience with its opening pays off in unusually inventive zombie comedy.
- *Night of the Comet* (1984): Another apocalypse carried by comic personalities rather than solemn survival lessons.
- *What We Do in the Shadows* (2014): Another undead household, with sharper squabbles and a better ear for absurdity.
- *The Return of the Living Dead* (1985): A nastier zombie comedy whose laughs never make the danger feel optional.

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/zombieland-double-tap