Let’s revisit our women’s studies teachings from college! Behold the test subject: The Lazarus Effect, which stars Olivia Wilde as Zoe, a medical researcher who’s trying to revive the recently deceased with a serum made from gobbledygook jargon. Initially, all seems great on the Feminism Front: Zoe’s strong and smart and knows how to science. But! (There’s usually a but.) This independent woman pines for her reticent fiancé and colleague, Frank (Mark Duplass), to marry her, but he’s too busy trying to raise the dead. Feminism demerit.
You know what’ll get a clingy lady killed? According to The Lazarus Effect, it’s hoping that one’s emotionally elusive man will settle down. During an experiment, Zoe gets mortally electrocuted through the metal on her engagement ring—which like a total dingle-fritz scientist, she forgot to take off. SYMBOLISM! Frank goes berserk and revives Zoe’s body in the research team’s first-ever human trial. Frank thinks to himself, “You know, that zombie dog we brought back? He’s kinda erratic, but hey… I’m sure my gal will be a-okay.” Smart thinking, head scientist Frank.