Few horror films have had the seismic impact of George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead (1968). A micro-budget, black-and-white nightmare, the film forever altered the portrayal of zombies in cinema and ushered in a new era of socially conscious horror. More than just an exercise in terror, Night of the Living Dead is a politically charged masterpiece that reflects the anxieties of its era while setting the foundation for the modern zombie genre.

Redefining the Undead

Before Night of the Living Dead, zombies in popular culture were largely tied to the voodoo mythos, as seen in films like White Zombie (1932) and I Walked with a Zombie (1943). Romero and co-writer John A. Russo stripped the concept down and rebuilt it into something far more terrifying: relentless, flesh-eating ghouls with no master to control them. These undead creatures, driven by an insatiable hunger, served as an unsettling mirror to the living, an idea that would be expanded upon in Romero’s later Dead films.

Political and Social Commentary

What sets Night of the Living Dead apart from many of its horror contemporaries is its deep well of social and political commentary. Though Romero often insisted that the casting of Duane Jones as Ben—the film’s intelligent, level-headed protagonist—was not an overt political statement, it was impossible to separate his presence from the racial tensions of the time. Ben’s ultimate fate, gunned down by a posse of white men who mistake him for a zombie, is a chilling echo of America’s violent racial history, particularly in the wake of the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.

The film also taps into Cold War paranoia, with radio and television broadcasts offering conflicting theories about the zombie outbreak. The apocalyptic tone, coupled with government incompetence and misinformation, reflects the growing distrust in American institutions during the Vietnam War era. There is a sense of nihilism at play, where survival feels uncertain regardless of how rational or prepared one may be.

Themes of Fear and Isolation

At its core, Night of the Living Dead is a study in fear—both of the unknown and of each other. The film’s claustrophobic setting, a rural farmhouse besieged by the undead, intensifies the growing tensions among the survivors. Personal conflicts—embodied in the power struggle between Ben and the cowardly Harry Cooper (Karl Hardman)—highlight how, even in the face of an external horror, humanity’s greatest enemy may still be itself. The breakdown of cooperation and trust among the group underscores a bleak message: civilisation crumbles not just due to external threats, but because of internal divisions.

Legacy and Influence

Upon its release, Night of the Living Dead shocked audiences with its unflinching violence, nihilistic tone, and unorthodox approach to horror. While initially controversial—particularly due to its graphic scenes and bleak ending—it has since been recognised as a watershed moment in horror cinema. The film laid the groundwork for countless successors, from Romero’s own Dawn of the Dead (1978) to contemporary hits like The Walking Dead and 28 Days Later (2002).

More importantly, it demonstrated that horror could be both viscerally terrifying and intellectually stimulating, using the genre as a lens through which to examine societal issues. Over five decades later, Night of the Living Dead remains as haunting and relevant as ever, a grim reminder that the true horror lies not just in the monsters outside, but in the darkness within humanity itself.

• Saul Muerte