The undead never rest—and neither do our fears.

Zombie narratives have long mirrored society’s deepest anxieties, from pandemics to political breakdowns. Zombies in Contemporary Culture examines how the contextual depiction of zombies continues to evolve, reflecting modern crises through literature, film, television, and material culture. By bringing together scholars from diverse fields, this collection introduces a new theoretical framework of “zombiism,” revealing how zombie stories engage with urgent issues like travel restrictions, racial tensions, far-right politics, and even the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Whether suburban horror or culture wars, this volume pushes beyond traditional zombie studies to uncover how these monsters remain an essential tool for understanding the world around us. Both an academic resource and a fresh take on pop culture’s most enduring horror icon, this book proves that the zombie apocalypse isn’t just fiction, but a reflection of our present reality.