Life After Beth
Updated: 12/10/2025, 4:49:33 PM Wikipedia source
Life After Beth is a 2014 American zombie comedy film written and directed by Jeff Baena. The film stars Aubrey Plaza, Dane DeHaan, Molly Shannon, Cheryl Hines, Paul Reiser, Matthew Gray Gubler, and John C. Reilly. A cameo by Garry Marshall was one of his final film appearances. Baena wrote the script in 2003; though it was well received in Hollywood, an early production quickly fell through. Nearly a decade later, Plaza was introduced to the script independently of her relationship with Baena, and wanted to star. Her involvement – and the coincidental postponement of another film Baena was working on – meant that Life After Beth entered production quickly in 2012, with principal photography taking place in the summer of 2013. Inspired by the story of Orpheus and Eurydice, it follows Zach (DeHaan) after his girlfriend Beth (Plaza) has died and been reanimated as a zombie: Zach struggles in trying to grieve the Beth he knew while also trying to prevent the zombie Beth's deterioration. Rather than focusing on the zombie apocalypse happening, the film follows Zach navigating his relationship in suburbia. It premiered in competition at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival on January 19, 2014, and was given a limited release on August 15, 2014. The film received mixed reviews, with praise for Plaza's performance; opinions differed on Baena's writing, particularly in terms of zombie tropes and the film's ending, and management of genre and tone.
Infobox
Directed by
Jeff Baena
Written by
Jeff Baena
Produced by
Michael ZakinLiz Destro
Starring
mw- Aubrey Plaza Dane DeHaan Molly Shannon Cheryl Hines Paul Reiser Matthew Gray Gubler John C. Reilly
Cinematography
Jay Hunter
Edited by
Colin Patton
Music by
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Productioncompanies
American Zoetrope Abbolita Productions Starstream Entertainment XYZ Films
Distributed by
A24
Release dates
January 19, 2014 (2014-01-19) (Sundance) August 15, 2014 (2014-08-15) (United States)
Running time
85–89 minutes
Country
United States
Language
English
Budget
$2.4 million
Box office
$274,717
Tables
· Reception › Accolades
Edinburgh International Film Festival
Edinburgh International Film Festival
Organization
Edinburgh International Film Festival
Date of ceremony
June 29, 2014
Category
Audience Award
Recipient(s)
Life After Beth
Result
Nominated
Fangoria Chainsaw Awards
Fangoria Chainsaw Awards
Organization
Fangoria Chainsaw Awards
Date of ceremony
June 1, 2015
Category
Best Screenplay
Recipient(s)
Jeff Baena
Result
Nominated
Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
Organization
Sundance Film Festival
Date of ceremony
January 26, 2014
Category
U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic
Recipient(s)
Life After Beth; Jeff Baena
Result
Nominated
Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards
Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards
Organization
Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards
Date of ceremony
April 29, 2015
Category
Best Independent Film
Recipient(s)
Life After Beth
Result
Nominated
| Organization | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
| Edinburgh International Film Festival | June 29, 2014 | Audience Award | Life After Beth | Nominated | |
| Fangoria Chainsaw Awards | June 1, 2015 | Best Screenplay | Jeff Baena | Nominated | |
| Sundance Film Festival | January 26, 2014 | Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic | Life After Beth; Jeff Baena | Nominated | |
| Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards | April 29, 2015 | Best Independent Film | Life After Beth | Nominated |
References
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