Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires
Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires lands as the latest chapter in Disney’s eponymous franchise, and while it follows plenty of familiar beats, it surprises with its striking scenery. Gone are the neon houses, fluorescent school corridors and rubbery green laws of Seabrook, as this fourth film trades soundstages for the coastal landscapes of New Zealand. Director Paul Hoen makes full use of striking real-world vistas, including a spectacular waterfall that becomes the stage for both heartfelt confessions and high-stakes monster showdowns. It’s a refreshing shift for a series otherwise steeped in artificial sets and bubblegum palettes – a touch that sits pointedly at odds with the film’s colourful premise.
Narratively, we’re on very familiar ground. Zed (Milo Manheim) and Addison (Meg Donnelly), after finishing their first year of university, embark on a summer road trip that veers wildly off course and lands them in the simmering feud between the Daywalkers and Vampires. The tropes are classic Disney: rival factions, simmering prejudices and the inevitable plea for unity, all punctuated by over-the-top musical numbers. Still, the choice to introduce a younger wave of monster characters, notably Nova (Freya Skye) and Victor (Malachi Barton), feels astute. It’s a clever transitional move that positions Zombies for longevity, as Zed and Addison edge closer to adulthood and possibly out of centre stage. While nothing is groundbreaking, Disney’s commitment to exuberance remains impressive. The musical set-pieces remain the franchise’s strongest asset, with the energetic, large-scale number Don’t Mess With Us led by Skye and Barton standing out as a dazzling showcase of synchronised choreography, clever camera work and pop production slickness.
For all its vampire fangs and interspecies politics, Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires is ultimately a safe, crowd-pleasing affair. Its message of acceptance and bridge-building feels earnest, if a touch repetitive by the fourth go-round. Nonetheless, long-time fans will find much to enjoy, and while it doesn’t take the franchise in a new direction, it proves there’s still some blood left in these veins.
Christina Yang
Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires is released on Disney+ on 11th July 2025.
Watch the trailer for Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires here:
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