ZombieCON Vol. 1 — Cosplay, Carnage, and a Crisis of Focus

We screened ZombieCON Vol. 1 at Rock n Dough on Amazon Prime, and I went in expecting a fandom-driven zombie romp—a con-goer showdown that spirals into undead chaos. What we got instead was a mash-up of ideas that never fully glued together. It’s ambitious, loud, sometimes funny, but ultimately uneven.

Setup & Story

ZombieCON Vol. 1 starts out like it wants to be a movie about fandom rivalries and con drama. There’s a role-play contest, some light-hearted jabs at “nerd culture,” and a setup that feels like it could have been fun. But halfway through, the film takes a hard left turn. A homeless man gives one of the characters a wishing rock, she accidentally wishes all the jerks in the world would turn into zombies—and suddenly we’re in a completely different movie.

From there, the tone spirals into chaos. The film jumps from convention antics to emotional meltdowns, then straight into apocalypse mode without ever finding its footing. The first half feels like a teen coming-of-age story, while the second half plays like a supernatural horror flick that forgot its own rules. By the time the zombies start talking and the “power of friendship” shows up to save the day, the original con premise is completely lost.

There are sparks of potential—moments that could have worked with more focus—but ZombieCON Vol. 1 tries to be too many things at once. It’s a story that needed to pick a lane, and instead chose all of them.

Characters & Performances

The lead and his mom share emotional beats that could’ve hit harder with tighter writing. Punkie Johnson steals the show—authentic, grounded, and exactly the kind of comic relief a film like this needs. The mom’s final act moment works, even if it arrives a little too late to save the momentum.

Cosplay & Culture

Costuming fits the local-con vibe: believable, DIY energy without over-the-top spectacle. Unfortunately, the movie’s depiction of convention life feels surface-level—more “random hotel hallway” than “real con floor.” Still, the diversity on screen deserves credit; fans of all backgrounds are visible, and that inclusivity rings true.

Horror & Humor

The first zombie kill—the pizza guy—is chaotic, hilarious, and the only scene that nails the tone. After that, the film can’t decide whether it wants to be Shaun of the Dead or One Cut of the Dead. The jokes lean “Cards Against Humanity” crude, and the horror loses bite once the zombies start talking.

Indie Craft

For a debut, there’s promise. The crew made smart use of their locations, stretching what was clearly a limited budget. But the sound mixing is rough—levels swing wildly—and the story edits feel like three different scripts spliced together. Original score? It’s there, but nothing sticks.

Final Thoughts

At its heart, ZombieCON Vol. 1 feels like a team’s first big swing—earnest but overstuffed. The creators clearly love fandom, and getting a film onto Amazon Prime is a huge achievement. But passion alone can’t replace pacing, polish, or coherent tone.

If you’re into “so-bad-it’s-fun” movie nights, queue it up on Amazon Prime for your next Terrible Movie Tuesday. Everyone starts somewhere, and while ZombieCON Vol. 1 isn’t a hit, it’s a valuable first step toward something better.

Score: “Hell Naw”… out of 10.

Constructive Criticism

Despite my harsh tone, I truly think the creators behind ZombieCON Vol. 1 have potential. Making any film—especially an indie—is no small feat, and getting it distributed on Amazon Prime is an accomplishment worth celebrating. The movie shows they can gather a team, secure locations, and pull off some practical effects that work.

Going forward, I’d love to see them refine their storytelling process: bring in an experienced writer or script consultant to tighten structure, find a consistent tone, and clarify character motivations. Investing in professional sound design and post-production could also elevate their next project dramatically. There’s heart here—just buried under too much chaos. Take the lessons from ZombieCON Vol. 1, regroup, and come back swinging with a clearer vision.