WHAT WENT WRONG Zombies (Primer for 28 Days Later)
Jun 20, 2025
Explore the haunting origins of zombies, tracing their Caribbean roots tied to colonialism and voodoo. Delve into their evolution in cinema, from early cultural anxieties to the modern frenzy portrayed in influential films like '28 Days Later.' A war veteran's dark experiences uncover the grim realities behind the folklore. The podcast also dives into philosophical musings on individuality versus societal conformity, providing a thought-provoking lens on the enduring monster that adapts to our fears.
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Origins of Haitian Zombies
- Zombies originated in Haitian voodoo as undead slaves without agency under a witch doctor's control.
- They symbolized loss of control, born from the intersection of African spiritual traditions and Caribbean slavery.
Seabrook's Haitian Zombie Encounter
- Journalist William Seabrook visited Haiti in the 1920s and encountered purported zombies working in cane fields.
- These were likely malnourished laborers controlled by exploitative systems, portrayed as mindless zombies in his 1929 book The Magic Island.
Zombies Enter American Cinema
- The 1932 film White Zombie introduced zombies to American cinema, blending horror with racial and cultural fears.
- This shaped the zombie as a symbol of voodoo, blackness, and primal savagery in early popular culture.
