10 Most Paused Zombie Horror Movie Moments
7. Luda’s Zombie Baby – Dawn Of The Dead (2004)
Aside from launching the careers of director Zack Snyder and writer James Gunn, 2004’s Dawn of the Dead is widely hailed as both one of the best horror remakes of all time and one of the best zombie films of the last twenty years. Easily the most shocking and distressing reason for this is the birth of Andre and Luda’s undead baby.
Played by the inherently likeable Mekhi Phifer, Andre is an effective take on the clichéd petty criminal just trying to do the best for his impending family. Likewise, Inna Korobkina’s Luda is a sympathetic mother-to-be whose choice to hide her bite from everyone except her husband is understandable, if obviously misguided.
Eventually, Luda gets tied up, dies, and reanimates as a monster. Devastated and conflicted, Andre subdues her before helping to deliver their child. Afterwards, Norma discovers them, shoots Luda, and then engages in a shootout with Andre (during which both are fatally wounded, too).
It all culminates in the rest of the survivors discovering the carnage – and the grey, dead-eyed, and shrieking newborn (whom the resilient Ana Clark quickly murders out of necessity).
Is it horrifying? Yes.
Is it still a bit cute? Also yes.