Shaun of the Dead poster

Shaun of the Dead

200499 minutesR
3.4
Arcplot Score
📝 Unconventional
Unverified
⭐ 7.9IMDb
🍅 92%Rotten Tomatoes
Ⓜ️ 76/100Metacritic
🎬 7.5TMDb
📊 7.6Popularity
🏆Nominated for 3 BAFTA 14 wins & 20 nominations total
Genre: Comedy, Horror
Directed by: Edgar Wright
Written by: Simon Pegg, Edgar Wright
Shaun (Simon Pegg) doesn't have a very good day, so he decides to turn his life around by getting his ex to take him back, but he times it for right in the middle of what may be a zombie apocalypse. But for him, it's an opportunity to show everyone he knows how useful he is by saving them all. All he has to do is survive, and get his ex back.

Box Office

Budget:$6.0M
Revenue:$39.4M
Profit:$33.4M

Arcplot Score Breakdown

Beat Timing Precision7.2/10
Emotional Arc Impact1/10
Thematic Consistency2/10
Overall Score3.4/10

Beat Sheet

15 plot points

Shaun of the Dead Arcplot
1
Opening Image
1 min
2
Theme Stated
5 min
3
Set-Up
10 min
4
Catalyst
15 min
5
Debate
25 min
6
Break Into Two
35 min
7
B Story
40 min
8
Fun and Games
50 min
9
Midpoint
60 min
10
Bad Guys Close In
70 min
11
All Is Lost
80 min
12
Dark Night of the Soul
85 min
13
Break Into Three
90 min
14
Finale
95 min
15
Final Image
99 min

Emotional Arc

+100-10

Plot Points

#1

Opening Image

1 min

Shaun’s mundane life in London is shown: a lazy, unmotivated man stuck in routine.

#2

Theme Stated

5 min

Shaun’s friends and family highlight the need to take control of life and embrace responsibility.

#3

Set-Up

10 min

Shaun navigates relationships with Liz, his friends Ed and Pete, and his mother, showing his inertia.

#4

Catalyst

15 min

The zombie outbreak begins. Shaun’s world is turned upside down with unexpected horror and chaos.

#5

Debate

25 min

Shaun struggles with how to respond: flee, fight, or protect his friends and loved ones.

#6

Break Into Two

35 min

Shaun commits to a plan: gather friends and survivors and make it to the local pub for safety.

#7

B Story

40 min

Shaun’s relationship with Liz develops under pressure, providing emotional stakes amid chaos.

#8

Fun and Games

50 min

Humorous zombie fights and clever survival tactics showcase the film’s blend of comedy and horror.

#9

Midpoint

60 min

A shocking twist: Ed dies. Stakes get higher, and survival becomes urgent and personal.

#10

Bad Guys Close In

70 min

Zombies overwhelm safe havens. Shaun faces leadership challenges and emotional strain.

#11

All Is Lost

80 min

Liz is put in extreme danger. Shaun’s failures feel catastrophic; the threat seems insurmountable.

#12

Dark Night of the Soul

85 min

Shaun reflects on his weaknesses and the importance of taking charge for the people he loves.

#13

Break Into Three

90 min

Shaun devises a final, clever plan to outsmart the zombies and save Liz and the remaining survivors.

#14

Finale

95 min

The survivors fight off zombies with coordinated effort and resourcefulness, blending comedy and tension.

#15

Final Image

99 min

Shaun has matured slightly, relationships strengthened. Life returns to a semblance of normalcy, with lingering humor and chaos.