Slow zombies or fast zombies? The debate may forever rage, even though zombie "purists" will traditionally tell you that slow zombies are better.
Regardless, each type of zombie has its appeal. What some people may find goofy about slow zombies, some may find terrifying. Same for the fast. And some scenes work better depending on the type of zombie present. Many scenes in fast zombie movies would never work in slow zombie movies, or at least not in the same way. Luckily, the zombie pantheon has given us many horrific scenes involving slow and fast zombies alike.
Slow: The Old Man In The Cemetery - Night Of The Living Dead
George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead perfectly introduces the situation and its titular threat. Romero is a master of suspense and tension, and these traits are wonderfully conveyed through Night of the Living Dead's iconic opening sequence.
Johnny sees a wandering old man in the distance and makes some jokes to Barbara, who doesn't take the situation seriously. And then the old man wanders closer. And closer. And closer. It's a thrilling bit of suspense, and it would never work with a fast zombie simply charging at the brother and sister.
Fast: Fleeing The Church - 28 Days Later
By contrast, Fast zombies were a relatively new phenomenon when 28 Days Later was released, so audiences didn't quite know what to expect.
This ignorance is mirrored in Jim, who comes across a church full of corpses and foolishly calls out. This draws the attention of the infected, resulting in a horrifying chase out of the church and down the street. Even when set on fire by Mark and Selena, the zombies just keep on coming, shrieking all the way. It's an unimaginably horrifying scenario.
Slow: Approaching The Biker - Dawn Of The Dead
While Night of the Living Dead is obviously iconic, Dawn of the Dead. The climax of Dawn sees a gang of bikers infiltrating the mall and letting in the zombies.
One of the best deaths from this sequence involves the fleeing biker who is shot off the bike by Peter. He sustains what seems like a minor wound, and he even grabs his gun to defend himself. However, the camera then cuts to a wider shot, revealing a dozen or so zombies slowly approaching him from behind. It's one of the movie's most iconic shots.
Fast: Running Up The Apartment Stairs - 28 Days Later
Another fantastic sequence in 28 Days Later sees Jim and Selena running up Frank's apartment stairs. This is one of those sequences that would never work in a slow zombie film. The viewer needs to put themselves in Jim's situation. He's exhausted from climbing the steps, and he has a headache from being dehydrated and malnourished.
And then fast zombies start screeching and scaling the stairs behind him, forcing him to run while already exhausted. A lot of people wouldn't survive that scenario, and that's what makes 28 Days Later so unnerving.
Slow: The Moans Of The Dead - Day Of The Dead
While in Fort Myers, Florida, and begin yelling in a failed rescue attempt.
Rather than humans answering their call, the characters begin to hear a loud, collective moan, signifying that the entire city has been lost. Sarah and Miguel then see a wave of zombies slowly approaching them, causing Miguel to flee in terror. It's an understandable reaction, considering the bone-chilling image and accompanying sound.
Fast: Escape From The Farm House - 28 Weeks Later
28 Weeks Later mirrors Day of the Dead in many interesting ways. It's often considered an inferior movie to its predecessor, but it contains a scarier opening sequence. And few opening scenes are scarier than the one found in 28 Weeks Later.
The characters' farmhouse is breached by zombies, forcing them to fight them off, hide, and run upstairs. When Don finally escapes, he is pursued by dozens of fast-moving zombies through the nearby field. Anytime he looks behind or beside him, he just sees zombies. Once again, this scene would never work with slow zombies.
Slow: Approaching The Winchester - Shaun Of The Dead
Shaun of the Dead is primarily a comedy, but it still contains a few good scares. One of the best comes in the climactic sequence when Ed turns on the arcade machine. The game makes a loud noise and causes lights to flash, drawing the attention of the outside zombies.
The characters stand in pained anticipation as the zombies moan and slowly approach the windows. When they do, they begin lightly banging on the glass. Fast zombies simply don't allow for this type of prolonged suspense and feelings of doomed inevitability.
Fast: Trapped In Your Own House - Dawn Of The Dead Remake
The Dawn of the Dead remake contains another fantastic opening sequence involving fast zombies. Well, one fast zombie in particular. Ana's husband Louis is bitten on the neck by a child zombie, causing him to bleed to death, while Ana desperately calls for help. And while she cries on the phone, Louis stands up.
She is obviously shocked, but her shock turns to terror when a milky-eyed Louis viciously screams and attacks her. She becomes trapped in her bedroom and bathroom before fleeing from a pursuing Louis. He eventually becomes distracted by a yummy-looking neighbor in a wonderful bit of dark comedy.
Slow: Surrounded - Day Of The Dead
If there's anything better than the Day of the Dead opening sequence, it's the violent and bloody climax. While this entire sequence provides some genuine scares and gnarly deaths, perhaps the freakiest of all is Steel's.
Steel is trapped in a small room, and dozens of zombies are pouring in through its doors. There's no escape, and death is literally crawling towards him with outstretched arms. It's a terrifying situation to be in. Knowing he's done for, Steel makes the sign of the cross and shoots himself.
Fast: The Staircase - REC
REC is another fantastic movie with fast-moving zombies, and it contains a scene very similar to the one found in 28 Days Later. Realizing that she's all alone with her cameraman, Angela looks over the staircase banister to see a hoard of zombies staring up at her and screeching for blood.
The image of the bloodied and recently-zombified Manu is nightmare-inducing, and the ensuing chase up the stairs proves deliriously heart pounding. It's a great scare in a great found footage movie.
