Michael Varrati's meta-horror There's a Zombie Outside creeps onto VOD on March 4 via Gravitas Ventures, with today's new trailer making very good on that title.
Written and directed by Varrati (Deathcember, FANGORIA Chainsaw Awards), There's a Zombie Outside stars Ben Baur (Hunting Season), Phylicia Wissa (Santa Clarita Diet), Danny Plotner (HBO’s Euphoria), Ty Chen (The Middle), Francisco Chacin (Matlock), William Lott (Bottom), Tiffany Shepis (Star Trek: Picard), and features a cameo from Peaches Christ (drag legend, All About Evil) and a prominent voice role from Lori Cardille (George Romero’s Day of the Dead).
The zombie horror follows a struggling artist whose identity is intertwined with the world of cult cinema and how he begins to have problems distinguishing fact from fiction when he starts to believe he’s seeing a monster from his movies for real.
Speaking exclusively to FANGORIA, Varrati spoke more about the themes present in There's a Zombie Outside, and the film's proudly queer heart:
“I’ve always loved how horror movies use monsters to represent so much more. Yes, our movie is about a zombie…but it’s also about our relationship with the art and media we consume…and how sometimes, when we give our identity fully over to this nebulous thing, it can make monsters of us all.
Over the course of my career, I’ve seen the intersection of queer identity and the horror genre take many forms,” Varrati says, “…often these narratives seek to justify our place and space in the world. Which is good and important. But I’m also interested in what it means for the queer creative – to feel like we have to ask the mainstream for permission. Does that limit the nuance of our stories? We deserve explorations of queer joy, yes…but also queer listlessness, queer frustration, and queer rage. That need is the beast at the heart of this movie.
Star Baur expands:
“Horror has always been a space for outsiders, and collaborating with Michael Varrati has allowed me to keep exploring the intersection of queerness and the genre in meaningful ways […] There’s a Zombie Outside was especially personal—playing a version of myself forced me to confront my own fears and vulnerabilities in a way I never have on screen. This film isn’t just about the titular zombie; it’s about the struggle to be in control of and tell our own stories. I hope audiences see themselves in it—and maybe even feel a little less alone.”
Bringing the titular zombie to life are creature effects done by Cig Neutron of Face Off, The Boulet Brothers Dragula, and Bizarro Au Go-Go fame.
Pre-purchase There's a Zombie Outside via Apple TV right here ahead of its March 4 release date and watch the new trailer below:
