As We Know It (film)

Last updated
As We Know It
Directed byJosh Monkarsh
Written byBrandon DePaolo
Christopher Francis
Josh Monkarsh
Produced byDaniel Cummings
Joshua Fruehling
K. Asher Levin
Josh Monkarsh
CinematographyStephen St. Peter
Edited byYvonne Valdez
Rebecca Weigold
Music byMichl Britsch
Distributed byBuffalo 8
Release date
  • May 13, 2023 (2023-05-13)(Pendance Film Festival)
LanguageEnglish

As We Know It is a 2023 zombie apocalypse, romantic comedy directed by Josh Monkarsh, starring Mike Castle, Oliver Cooper, Taylor Blackwell, Danny Mondello, Pam Grier, and Chris Parnell.

Contents

Synopsis

The film's official synopsis reads: [1]

Set in Los Angeles in the late 1990s, struggling writer James Bishop grapples with the emotional shrapnel of a recent breakup with his longtime girlfriend, Emily. As James holds up in his Hollywood Hills home with writer's block, his eccentric best friend Bruce shows up with bad news. The city has plunged into chaos by an unusual and hilarious zombie outbreak, courtesy of tainted soy milk.
With the streets of Los Angeles swarming with the undead, James, Bruce, and Emily come together to barricade themselves in the house while reconciling their personal struggles. And occasionally, letting in the only food delivery service still operating, Abracadabra.

Cast

Development

Monkarsh optioned the script for As We Know It in 2016. The original script did not feature zombies and Monkarsh came up with the idea to include them while "spitballing ideas" with Christopher Francis. [2] [3] They did not approach the script again until the COVID-19 pandemic occurred and Monkarsh noticed that he believed that he had "something here with all the quarantining stuff that’s happening". [2] The crew substantially re-wrote the script but allowed the cast to see it as a foundation and to freely improv. [3]

Filming began in Los Angeles, California during July 2022. [4]

Release

As We Know It premiered at the Pendance Film Festival in Canada on May 13, 2023. [5] It was acquired by production and distribution company Buffalo 8 and given a theatrical release on November 10, 2023. [6] This was followed by a release to streaming and video-on-demand on December 1 of the same year. [7]

Reception

As We Know It has a rating of 50% on review aggregate website Rotten Tomatoes, based on 10 reviews. [8] Film Threat reviewed the movie, noting that the film "hits a lot of the expected beats of a zombie comedy" while also praising the characters, makeup, cast, and its ending. [9] Andy Klein and Manuel Betancourt reviewed it for KPCC, both criticizing it and Klein stating that "It feels almost improvised... and unfortunately not that well improvised." [10]

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References

  1. ↑ Bolt, Neil (2023-10-25). "As We Know It Unleashes Soy-Infected Zombies in '90s L.A. Next Month". ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
  2. 1 2 Blem, Tiffany (2023-12-01). "'As We Know It': Interview With Writer/Director Josh Monkarsh With Stars Mike Castle And Oliver Cooper". PopHorror. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
  3. 1 2 Dyche, Olly (2023-11-17). "Josh Monkarsh Talks '90s Nostalgia with His New Zombie Comedy, As We Know It". MovieWeb. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
  4. ↑ Hamman, Cody (2022-08-01). "As We Know It: Pam Grier to star in zombie apocalypse horror comedy". JoBlo. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
  5. ↑ pendancefilmfestival (2023-05-12). "As We Know It". Pendance Film Festival. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
  6. ↑ Rubin, Rebecca (2023-11-01). "Zombie Comedy 'As We Know It' Acquired by Buffalo 8, Sets Release Date (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
  7. ↑ Bolt, Neil (2023-11-29). "As We Know It VOD Release Date Revealed for Soy-Infected Zombie Movie". ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
  8. ↑ "As We Know It". Rotten Tomatoes .
  9. ↑ LePire, Bobby (2023-12-06). "As We Know It Featured, Reviews Film Threat". Film Threat. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
  10. ↑ "FilmWeek: 'The Marvels' 'Your Lucky Day,' 'Bella' And More". LAist - NPR News for Southern California - 89.3 FM. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
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