Before Superman, Lex Luthor Actor Nicholas Hoult Starred In One Of The Best Zombie Movies Ever

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Over the past two decades, Nicholas Hoult has carved a versatile acting niche for himself, starting from his breakout role as a child actor in “About a Boy” (2003) and culminating in his Golden Globe-nominated performance as the mad Emperor Peter III in “The Great,” streaming on Hulu. In 2025, Hoult takes his career to new heights with his portrayal of Lex Luthor in “Superman.” While many renowned actors have played Superman’s archnemesis, fans eager for another top-notch Nicholas Hoult movie can watch the 2013 zombie romantic comedy “Warm Bodies.

In “Warm Bodies,” Houlty portrays “R,” a zombie wearing hoodies, who can’t recall his name or past life yet retains a fragment of awareness and affection for Bruce Springsteen vinyl records. When R meets Julie (Teresa Palmer), a young woman armed with guns from the last human settlement on Earth, their encounter rekindles the flickering embers of R’s dormant heart. This interaction isn’t just an instant attraction; rather, it sparks R’s return to a living state.

Under the guidance of director Jonathan Levine, the movie “Warm Bodies” stands out as a unique take on the zombie genre, offering an unconventional perspective through the voiceover of its undead protagonist, played brilliantly by Nicholas Hoult. This humorous and heartfelt portrayal adds depth to the character’s grunting ghoul, making “Warm Bodies” a memorable blend of various genres. Over time, it has been recognized as one of the top zombie movies ever made.

Hoult played a lovesick zombie in Warm Bodies

Warm Bodies” takes place eight years following the zombie pandemic that overpopulated the world with “Corpses,” formerly human beings who hold faint memories of their past lives, and “Boneys,” skeletal figures devoid of any humanity. R is a Corpses’ member, finding his lifeless existence as an undead being monotonous – roaming through an empty airport, grumbling to his fellow zombie friend M (Rob Corddry), and occasionally consuming the brains of unfortunate human looters.

In a dramatic twist, R’s undead existence is forever altered when a band of humans on a mission to gather medical supplies are attacked by zombies. Amidst the chaos, R encounters Julie, a strong and attractive woman, causing his heart to pulse again since his demise. However, this doesn’t prevent him from slaughtering and consuming Perry (played by Dave Franco), Julie’s boyfriend. In an odd turn of events, R gains access to Perry’s memories of Julie, which leads him to help her escape the violence. The two manage to elude the Boneys and reunite with Colonel Grigio, Julie’s father and head of the human resistance. Despite their improbable alliance, the question remains: can Julie forgive R for consuming Perry?

The playful titles R and Julie hint at the fact that “Warm Bodies” is a contemporary, heart-racing reimagining of William Shakespeare’s classic tale, “Romeo and Juliet.” (They even steal a romantic moment on a balcony.) By daring to explore its unconventional love story, “Warm Bodies” breaks free from the despair that has plagued the zombie genre for so long, demonstrating that it still holds potential for freshness.

In Warm Bodies, Hoult gets the chance to play the hero

The roles played by Nicholas Hoult span a diverse range of unique, non-traditional characters. For instance, he played Nux the War Boy in the action-packed post-apocalyptic movie “Mad Max: Fury Road,” portrayed the intelligent, blue, furry mutant Beast in “X-Men: First Class” and its subsequent sequels, and took on the role of the troubled Jonathan Harker in the chilling 2024 remake of “Nosferatu.

In this diverse group, R certainly stands out – given that he is, in fact, a flesh-eating zombie. However, “Warm Bodies” offers more than mere quirkiness; it presents an unusual scenario where the antagonist, played by Nicholas Hoult, takes on the romantic lead. Despite his gruesome actions like choking on gray matter, R is portrayed with a touch of vulnerability and charm by Hoult.

The movie “Warm Bodies” manages to strike a balance between humor and seriousness, and it succeeds remarkably as both a zombie flick and a modern adaptation of “Romeo and Juliet”. The key element that ties it all together is the outstanding performance by Nicholas Hoult as the central character. While there have been numerous unforgettable undead creatures in other films, Hoult’s portrayal of R infuses the zombie with humanity, making “Warm Bodies” a movie worth watching.

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2025-07-10 17:30