What The Critics Are Saying About Zombieland: Double Tap

Zombieland: Double Tap has screened for critics, and so far, the general consensus is that it's worth the wait.

Critics who have taken to Twitter with their reactions mostly agreed that the long-gestating sequel to the 2009 comedy/horror hit Zombieland will definitely hit the sweet spot with fans of the original. The entire cast from that film returned to reprise the roles of their geographically-monikered heroes; back in action are Woody Harrelson as Tallahassee, Jesse Eisenberg as Columbus, Emma Stone as Wichita, and Abigail Breslin (who, at 23, was a mere tween when she appeared in the first film) as Little Rock. Joining the cast this time around are Rosario Dawson as Nevada, Zoey Deutch as Madison, and Luke Wilson as Albuquerque.

Among the flick's biggest champions was We Live Entertainment editor-in-chief Scott Menzel, who noted that the flick upped the ante in terms of its undead flesh-eaters as well as its comedy. "Zombieland: Double Tap is a bloody blast," he wrote. "This long awaited sequel is well worth the 10 year wait. A twisted blend of comedy & horror with bigger & badder zombies.The entire cast is great but Zoey Deutch as Madison steals every scene & is the film's MVP."

ComicBook.com's Brandon Davis agreed that Double Tap is a worthy sequel to the singularly weird (and awesome) original. "#Zombieland #DoubleTap is like a time machine to 2009," he wrote. "I loved it. If you loved the first movie, you'll love this one. It's hilarious. The original cast has the same magic and the newcomers only add to the fun. It's an absolute blast."

Davis was not the only critic to observe that, in terms of its gonzo humor, it seemed that virtually no time at all had elapsed between Zombieland and Double Tap. The official Twitter account for Digital Spy chipped in with this assessment: "#Zombieland2 is a nostalgic trip back to 2009 despite being set in 2019 and the ten years haven't updated its sense of humor. The fresh faces of Zoey Deutch and Rosario Dawson bring a welcome new dynamic to the group."

Pro skating icon and reality star Rob Dyrdek weighed in with effusive praise for the flick, although he did admit to having a touch of bias — the film's director, Ruben Fleischer, directed the pilot for his MTV reality series Rob & Big. "He did it again! My man @rubenfleischer's film @Zombieland 2 is absolutely amazing," Dyrdek wrote. "Beginning to end pure comedy and crazy action. Everybody is going love this film. BIG FAT DEATH steals the show, no doubt. You will know exactly what I mean when you see the movie!"

Veep actor Matt Walsh posted a photo of his crowded screening, and offered what one might imagine could be the highest praise he's capable of. "Got to see this one tonite, enjoyed it thoroughly, thanks for the laughs ⁦@Zombieland⁩, you made me laugh good," he deadpanned. "Really enjoyed that cast and pace."

Another observer alluded to the fact that the flick finds ways to go bigger than the original without losing its extremely quirky sense of humor (she referred to Double Tap as "the Godzilla of zombie films"), and one made sure to point out that moviegoers will want to stay until the credits have rolled to get their money's worth, as the movie contains mid- and post-credits scenes.

It's interesting to note that Fleischer may have picked up this trick from his last gig: the 2018 Sony Universe of Marvel Characters entry Venom, which featured Harrelson in a mid-credits sequence as Cletus Kasady, the serial killer who goes on to become the deadly villain Carnage. Despite the fact that Fleischer directed the original Zombieland, Double Tap has been marketed as hailing "from the director of Venom." Perhaps the fact that the Marvel flick earned over eight times Zombieland's box office take had something to do with the strategy; it's hard to say.