Zombieland: Double Tap (2019)

Zombieland: Double Tap is the long-awaited sequel to the 2009 cult hit Zombieland. Directed once again by Ruben Fleischer, the movie brings back the original cast while adding new faces to the zombie-killing family. Mixing gore, comedy, and surprisingly heartfelt moments, the film revisits a post-apocalyptic America with a self-aware, tongue-in-cheek attitude.

Detailed Summary

Reunion with Familiar Faces

The film picks up ten years after the first one. Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), Wichita (Emma Stone), and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) have survived countless hordes of zombies together. They take up residence in the abandoned White House, making themselves at home in the ruins of American civilization. Columbus proposes to Wichita, but commitment issues cause Wichita and Little Rock to leave suddenly, creating tension in the group.

New Threat: The “T-800” Zombies

The movie introduces evolved zombies dubbed the “T-800s” (a cheeky nod to Terminator). These zombies are faster, stronger, and harder to kill than the average undead, forcing the survivors to rethink their strategies and rules for survival.

Meeting Madison

Columbus and Tallahassee encounter Madison (Zoey Deutch), a ditzy but endearing survivor who’s been living in a mall freezer. Columbus, heartbroken over Wichita’s departure, briefly starts a romance with her, leading to a hilariously awkward love triangle when Wichita inevitably returns.

Searching for Little Rock

Little Rock has run off with a pacifist musician named Berkeley (Avan Jogia). The group sets off to find her, crossing paths with new allies like Nevada (Rosario Dawson), a no-nonsense zombie killer and potential love interest for Tallahassee, and Albuquerque (Luke Wilson) with Flagstaff (Thomas Middleditch), who are essentially “doppelgänger” versions of Tallahassee and Columbus.

The Hippie Commune: Babylon

Little Rock and Berkeley make their way to Babylon, a gun-free hippie commune that feels like a paradise in the zombie apocalypse. The catch? They melt down all firearms upon entry, which leaves the residents unprepared for the horde of T-800 zombies on their way.

Movie Ending

The climax unfolds at Babylon, where the community is about to be overrun by the unstoppable T-800 zombies. With no guns allowed, the group must rely on Tallahassee’s creativity and the commune’s limited resources.

In a bold, sacrificial move, Tallahassee lures the massive horde away from the commune by dangling himself off a tower crane, intending to fall into the zombies and take as many with him as possible. However, Nevada swoops in with a monster truck, mowing down zombies and saving him in the nick of time.

Meanwhile, Columbus, Wichita, and Madison fight off the remaining horde using fire, traps, and teamwork. Little Rock, despite her younger age and perceived innocence, proves her maturity by killing the final zombie with a shotgun.

The film closes with Columbus narrating that, while the world is full of danger, “home isn’t a place—it’s the people you’re with.” The group is reunited, relationships are reaffirmed (Columbus and Wichita, Tallahassee and Nevada, Little Rock finding her independence), and they drive off into the uncertain but hopeful future of zombie-infested America.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

Yes. The movie has one of the most beloved post-credit scenes in recent memory. It flashes back to the first day of the zombie outbreak, featuring Bill Murray at a press junket for Garfield 3. When the zombies attack, Murray goes full action-hero, hilariously dispatching zombies with everyday objects while quipping in typical Bill Murray fashion. It’s both absurd and perfectly fitting as a callback to his iconic cameo in the first film.

Type of Movie

The film is a zombie comedy (zom-com) that blends horror, satire, action, and road-trip adventure. Like its predecessor, it doesn’t take itself too seriously, thriving on fourth-wall humor and parody of genre tropes.

Cast

• Jesse Eisenberg as Columbus
• Woody Harrelson as Tallahassee
• Emma Stone as Wichita
• Abigail Breslin as Little Rock
• Zoey Deutch as Madison
• Rosario Dawson as Nevada
• Avan Jogia as Berkeley
• Luke Wilson as Albuquerque
• Thomas Middleditch as Flagstaff
• Bill Murray as Himself (post-credit scene)

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by David Sardy, mixing high-energy rock influences with traditional horror motifs. The soundtrack also features well-placed classics, including Metallica’s “Master of Puppets”, which opens the film with a perfect heavy-metal punch.

Filming Locations

Most of the movie was filmed in Atlanta, Georgia, which has become a hub for post-apocalyptic productions (The Walking Dead also films there). The Babylon commune was constructed as a set in Atlanta to capture a utopian, festival-like aesthetic—contrasting sharply with the desolate world outside.

Awards and Nominations

While not a heavy awards contender, the film received nominations at genre-specific ceremonies such as the Saturn Awards for Best Horror Film. Zoey Deutch, in particular, earned critical praise and nominations for her comedic performance as Madison.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Woody Harrelson initially resisted reprising his role but was convinced after seeing the script’s balance of comedy and heart.
• Zoey Deutch improvised many of Madison’s lines, which added to the character’s unpredictability.
• The Bill Murray post-credit scene was kept secret during production to surprise fans.
• The cast trained with stunt coordinators to handle elaborate zombie-kill sequences practically before VFX enhancements were added.

Inspirations and References

• Inspired by the original Zombieland’s success, the sequel leans heavily into road movie tropes with nods to westerns (Tallahassee as a cowboy archetype).
• The evolved zombies are a tongue-in-cheek jab at sequels always needing “bigger, badder villains.”
• Babylon is a satirical take on hippie communes and utopian communities from the 1960s.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

The main deleted content involved extended versions of the “doppelgänger” sequence with Albuquerque and Flagstaff. Some additional zombie-kill gags were cut for pacing. No confirmed alternate ending exists, though early drafts hinted at a darker ending where Tallahassee might actually die—this was scrapped to maintain the film’s lighter tone.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Unlike the first movie, which was adapted into a novelization afterward, Double Tap was created strictly for the screen. The only difference is in tone: the novelization expands inner monologues of Columbus but otherwise follows the film closely.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• The opening sequence with “Master of Puppets” blasting as zombies are slaughtered at the White House.
• The mall encounter where Madison is introduced.
• The face-off with Albuquerque and Flagstaff, who hilariously mirror the main characters.
• Tallahassee’s heroic crane sequence at Babylon.
• Bill Murray’s unforgettable post-credit rampage.

Iconic Quotes

• Columbus: “It’s time to nut up or shut up. Again.”
• Madison: “You guys are so mean! Like, why are you being so mean?!”
• Tallahassee: “You ever seen a lion in the wild? It’s majestic.”
• Columbus (narration): “Home isn’t a place—it’s the people you’re with.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• Tallahassee’s Elvis obsession mirrors Woody Harrelson’s real-life love for music.
• The doppelgängers Albuquerque and Flagstaff parody clichés of sequels introducing “mirror characters.”
• Babylon is a nod to Babylon from reggae culture and biblical allegory, suggesting paradise and destruction coexisting.
• Columbus updates his “Rules of Survival” list throughout, echoing the first film’s style and humor.

Trivia

• The sequel was released almost exactly 10 years after the first film.
• Emma Stone became the first Academy Award-winning actress to star in a zombie comedy sequel.
• The cast has joked that they’d be open to making a new Zombieland film every decade.
• Bill Murray only agreed to appear if he could mock his career choices (hence the Garfield 3 gag).

Why Watch?

Because it’s not just about zombies—it’s about dysfunctional families, found friendships, and laughing at the apocalypse. If you enjoyed the first film, this sequel amplifies the absurd kills, sharp banter, and over-the-top creativity while still giving you heartwarming character arcs.

Director’s Other Movies

• Zombieland (2009)
• Venom (2018)
• 30 Minutes or Less (2011)
• Gangster Squad (2013)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Shaun of the Dead (2004)
• Army of the Dead (2021)
• Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse (2015)
• This Is the End (2013)
• The Dead Don’t Die (2019)