George A. Romero: Bow down to the Godfather of the Undead
When you think of zombies, there’s really only one name that comes to mind: George A. Romero. For me—and pretty much everyone at Dead Evil Clothing—Romero is the reason we have the modern zombie as we know it today. His work completely redefined horror, taking the mythology of the walking dead from obscure folklore to mainstream icons of fear. And who doesn't like zombie content!? Sometimes, while working on Dead Evil things my mind drifts off and I just sit there fantasising what I would do in case of a zombie apocolypse... who hasn't?
If you haven’t dived into Romero's filmography, then trust me, you’re missing out on the origins of an entire subgenre that still dominates horror culture. Let’s dig a little deeper into Romero’s legendary career and why his influence will never die.
The Dawn of the Dead: Romero’s Beginnings
Back in the late 1960s, Romero changed horror forever with a low-budget black-and-white film that barely anyone expected to go anywhere. That film? "Night of the Living Dead" (1968). Made on a budget of about $114,000, it became one of the most iconic horror films of all time (Fun fact: The Walking Dead's first episodes budget was 3.4 million dollars! And yeah I haven't adjusted any of these for inflation...).
Nevertheless, Romero didn’t just give us zombies; he gave us the rules—the slow, shambling corpses, driven by an insatiable hunger for human flesh. And he wasn’t afraid to layer in biting social commentary, with the film subtly tackling themes of race and humanity.
From there, Romero kept redefining the zombie genre with sequels like “Dawn of the Dead” (1978) and “Day of the Dead” (1985). While “Night” may have been the genesis, “Dawn” is my personal favorite—it’s not just a gorefest (though it delivers plenty of that); it’s a clever critique of consumerism, with survivors taking refuge in a mall while the world crumbles outside. And the practical effects? Absolutely legendary. Clinton and I, as connoisseurs of film, have talked about how CGI has taken over, sometimes at the expense of more authentic practical effects. (Don't even get me started on Lord of the Rings versus the Hobbit films CGI). Nevertheless, Romero really knew how to balance horror with something deeper, and as a filmmaker myself, I can’t overstate how influential that is.
Romero’s Zombies: Not Just Monsters
Here’s the thing that sets Romero apart—his zombies aren’t just mindless creatures. In Romero’s world, the real danger is often the survivors themselves. I mean, sure, the undead are terrifying, but it’s the breakdown of society, the paranoia, and how humans turn on each other that makes his films stick with you long after the credits roll. (You can really see those themes continue to play out in Frank Darabont's The Walking Dead!). In “Day of the Dead”, we see more of this, as survivors grapple with military dictatorship inside a bunker. And Romero’s exploration of what it means to be “human” hits even harder when you start seeing the zombies as just a reflection of our own nature. Deep stuff for a genre that’s sometimes dismissed as just gore and screams.
The Romero Touch: Creating Atmosphere and Suspense
If you’ve ever watched a Romero film, you know that it’s not all about the jump scares or over-the-top violence (though those moments do land... and hard!). It’s about the slow build-up—the tension that starts right from the opening scene and doesn’t let up. Think about “Land of the Dead” (2005), where zombies are starting to evolve, and humans have walled themselves into cities run by the elite. There’s an underlying sense of dread that just creeps up on you, not just from the undead but from the social structure itself.
Romero was a master of creating those slow-burn atmospheres, where the horror isn’t just on the screen but something you feel. And as a fan of horror myself, there’s something magical about being drawn into that world. His films make you question society, leadership, and even your own morals—all while delivering the zombie carnage we all crave.
Cult Status and Ongoing Influence
It’s no exaggeration to say Romero’s work is responsible for shaping not just zombie films, but a whole subculture. Without Romero, we wouldn’t have “The Walking Dead”, “28 Days Later” (common how good are those two! All Praise Danny Boyle & Cillian Murphy!), or pretty much any zombie flick that’s hit theaters in the last four decades. His storytelling laid the groundwork for filmmakers to take the genre in new directions, from fast zombies to infected hordes.
And if you think about it, his influence goes even further. Every time you play a zombie video game or watch a new post-apocalyptic series, Romero’s fingerprints are all over it. (The Last of Us, especially the video games, although the tv series as well, is the world of 'zombies' expanding into new and exciting places). That’s the beauty of his legacy—it’s evolved but never faded. And for that, we all owe him a massive thank you. Without Romero, the world of horror would be a much less terrifying (and less interesting) place.
The Dead Keep Walking: Romero’s Undying Legacy
Even after his passing in 2017, Romero’s influence on horror cinema refuses to die. Whether it’s through filmmakers paying homage or reimaginings of his classic films, Romero’s zombies continue to haunt us. And let’s be real, can you even picture Halloween without someone dressed up as a zombie? Romero made zombies cool—no, scratch that—he made them f*cking iconic.
At Dead Evil Clothing, we’re all about celebrating the horror greats who paved the way for today’s genre. That’s why Romero is a major part of our Director’s Cult Collection—because without him, we’d be missing one of the true legends of horror. So, if you’re as obsessed with Romero’s work as we are, check out our exclusive designs inspired by the Godfather of the Undead himself.
P.S. If you haven’t watched “Dawn of the Dead” recently, seriously, what the hell are you waiting for?