Directed by
Alex Thompson
Made by
Multitude Films
Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Life After (2025). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
Zach Orfman hermano is deeply shaken when his girlfriend, Beth Slocum, tragically dies after being bitten by a venomous snake during a hike. As he struggles to cope with his grief, Zach begins spending more time with Beth’s parents, [Geenie] and Maury Slocum, seeking some form of comfort and understanding. During their conversations, Zach confesses that he and Beth were experiencing difficulties in their relationship, but [Maury] urges him not to let these problems define who they are or their future together, offering a bit of reassurance amidst the chaos.
However, Zach’s concerns intensify when the Slocums suddenly cease all contact. Driven by desperation, he visits their home and catches a glimpse of Beth through a window. Despite his calls to be let in, he is turned away by his brother Kyle, a security officer. Zach’s insistence that Beth is still alive worries his parents, causing tension at home. That night, Zach, overwhelmed with doubt, breaks into the house and discovers that Beth’s parents have been hiding her alive all along. This revelation sparks a heated argument, after which Zach storms off in frustration. Later, he visits Beth’s gravesite and finds a large hole in her burial spot — a sign that Beth has reappeared. He confronts her parents, who reluctantly admit that Beth seemingly came back from the dead after her funeral, appearing healthy and whole. Notably, they are hesitant to tell Beth that she died, and they keep her sheltered during the day.
When Zach takes Beth out for a daytime outing in the park, her face suddenly begins blistering, an indication that something is terribly wrong. Despite Maury forbidding Zach from seeing Beth, Zach keeps sneaking around to be with her. Beth’s behavior becomes increasingly erratic and violent, marked by severe mood swings. Zach notices that other people in town are acting strangely — gaining strength and exhibiting violent tendencies similar to Beth. His suspicions grow when he visits a diner and runs into his childhood friend, Erica Wexler, who offers her condolences. As they leave, tragedy strikes when Zach accidentally runs Beth over with his car. The scene escalates as Beth frightens away bystanders with her screams, showing she has become unpredictable and dangerous.
In a tense moment, a clash with Erica occurs when Beth mistakenly accuses Zach of cheating, leading to further chaos. Zach takes her to her grave, where he finally tells her the truth about her death. He attempts to break off their relationship, but Beth becomes furious and drives off in his vehicle. Returning home, Zach is shocked to discover that his late grandfather appears to have returned as well, adding to the unsettling atmosphere.
With Maury’s help, Zach is pressured into telling Beth the full truth and promising to stay with her forever — a compromise that Zach is reluctant to make. As Zach drives away with the increasingly distraught Beth, Maury intervenes, knocking Zach unconscious and taking her back home. When Zach wakes up, he finds his house turned upside down: a stranger is inside, and the backyard contains burnt bodies he believes to be his family.
Faced with despair, Zach considers leaving town but then changes his mind. He heads back to the Slocum residence where he discovers a horrifying sight: Beth, now fully transformed into a bloodthirsty zombie, has already eaten Maury and some of Geenie’s fingers. Despite the nightmare, Zach manages to let Geenie escape and calms Beth temporarily by promising to hike with her. Along the way, they encounter Kyle, who is hunting zombies, and he hands Zach a handgun, urging him to put Beth out of her misery.
At a cliffside, Zach and Beth share a heartfelt, tearful farewell. Zach apologizes for not fulfilling her desires when she was alive. They declare their love for each other before Zach gently shoots Beth in the head, ending her suffering. The story concludes with Zach reuniting with his family at a safehouse, where a traumatized Erica, who earlier had to kill her own grandmother, is also present. The survivors plan to leave town now that things seem to have returned to normal, as indicated by a TV report announcing the end of the chaos. Sometime later, Zach visits Beth and Maury’s graves, leaving a scarf on Beth’s tombstone and a chess piece on Maury’s as tokens of remembrance. As Zach’s mother picks him up, he invites Erica to dinner. She accepts, smiling as they drive off into an uncertain future, still haunted but hopeful amid the aftermath of the terrifying events.
Follow the complete movie timeline of Life After (2025) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
Beth's Snake Bite and Death
Beth Slocum is bitten by a venomous snake while hiking and dies from the injury. Zach Orfman is devastated by her death and begins to grieve her loss while seeking closure. Her parents, Geenie and Maury, take her body away, adding to Zach's confusion and sorrow.
Zach's Encounters with Beth's Parents
Zach spends time with Beth's parents, who advise him not to let their daughter's death define him. Meanwhile, Zach notices that Beth's parents are acting strangely and abruptly stop contacting him. His concern grows when he sees Beth through a window at their house, trying to get in.
Zach Breaks In and Discovers Beth is Alive
Zach confronts Beth's parents and learns they have been hiding her. He witnesses Beth alive and well, though she appears to have changed. Zach becomes increasingly suspicious and distressed, realizing she might not be the same person he loved.
Beth's Reappearance and Altered State
Beth reappears after her funeral, but her face starts to blister during a daytime outing, indicating she has been transformed. Her mood swings grow severe, and she becomes increasingly violent and physically stronger, alarming Zach and the town.
Zach Runs Over Beth
Zach accidentally runs over Beth with his car during a confrontation. She yells at bystanders and frightens Erica Wexler, Zach's childhood friend. This tragic event marks her further descent into violence and madness.
Beth's Transformation into a Zombie
Zach confronts Beth and tells her the truth about her death. When he tries to end their relationship, she becomes more aggressive and drives off in his car. Zach later discovers Beth has fully transformed into a bloodthirsty zombie, having eaten Maury and others.
Zach Shoots Beth
Faced with the horrifying reality of Beth's zombie state, Zach tearfully apologizes for not fulfilling her dreams and professes his love. He then shoots her in the head at a cliff, ending her zombified existence.
Survivors Reunite and Escape
Zach reunites with his family and Erica at a safehouse, discovering that others have survived as well. The town appears to be returning to normal after a car accident and chaos, with the power restored and a news report claiming things are safe.
Zach Visits Graves of Beth and Maury
Zach visits the graves of Beth and Maury, leaving a scarf and a chess piece as mementos. This act symbolizes his acceptance of the events and his emotional closure with the loss of Beth and his connection to her parents.
New Beginning with Erica
Zach is picked up by his mother, and he invites Erica to dinner, indicating a move forward from the trauma. Erica accepts happily, suggesting a hopeful new chapter for Zach after the harrowing events.
Explore all characters from Life After (2025). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.
Zach Orfman
A young man grappling with grief and denial after the death of his girlfriend Beth. Zach exhibits determination and emotional vulnerability as he seeks the truth and tries to save her, risking his own safety in the process. His character embodies hope, love, and resilience.
Beth Slocum
A girl who reappears alive after her death, but begins to exhibit violent and erratic behavior, revealing her transformation into a zombie. Her character signifies the tragic loss of innocence and the destructive nature of the outbreak. She becomes the tragic figure caught between life and death.
Maury
Beth's father who secretly keeps her alive after her death and urges Zach to accept her condition. He is conflicted between protecting his daughter and the moral implications of his actions. Maury’s character embodies guilt and desperation.
Kyle
Zach's brother and a security officer hunting zombies, demonstrating courage and resourcefulness. He provides practical support and aims to contain the outbreak. Kyle represents resilience and protective instincts in dangerous situations.
Erica Wexler
Zach’s childhood friend who offers emotional support and becomes traumatized by the outbreak. She exhibits compassion and resilience, showing the emotional toll of facing horror. Her character illustrates the impact of tragedy on innocence.
Learn where and when Life After (2025) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.
Time period
Contemporary (present day)
The story takes place in current times, reflecting modern concerns with technology, communication, and contemporary societal fears. The setting emphasizes a present-day scenario where supernatural events disrupt everyday life, with references such as cell phones, cars, and modern emergency responses.
Location
Small Town, Cemetery, Safehouse
The movie unfolds in a quiet small town that becomes a setting for supernatural and horror events, including haunted homes and secret safehouses. The town's atmosphere shifts from normalcy to chaos as the reality of the zombie outbreak emerges, highlighting a sense of isolation and community vulnerability in rural environments.
Discover the main themes in Life After (2025). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
🧟♂️
Survival
Survival is a central theme, as characters struggle to endure the zombie outbreak and protect loved ones. The film explores moral choices, such as deciding who to save and how far one is willing to go to stay alive. It also highlights resilience amid chaos and loss.
💔
Love and Loss
The movie examines the enduring power of love in the face of death and tragedy. Zach's love for Beth persists even after her apparent death and transformation into a zombie. Their emotional connection underscores the significance of love, forgiveness, and sacrifice during harrowing circumstances.
What's After the Movie?
Not sure whether to stay after the credits? Find out!
Explore Our Movie Platform
New Movie Releases (2025)
Famous Movie Actors
Top Film Production Studios
Movie Plot Summaries & Endings
Major Movie Awards & Winners
Best Concert Films & Music Documentaries
© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.