When a rat poison COVID “cure” transforms entitled mall shoppers into brain-dead zombies with Karen haircuts, a group of retail workers must survive customer service’s ultimate ApoKalypse nightmare.

---

Introduction

A hidden indie gem in the library of Amazon Prime Video. At first look, it is an obviously budgeted animated movie, but don’t let that discourage you from watching it. If you’re a fan unapologetic dark humor, this is for you. Made, directed, written, and produced by Lutz Geiger, this passion-project of his took him 3 years to complete, and it was worth it.

“ApoKalypse” (2025) is a horror-comedy film where a group of retail workers must survive a zombie outbreak in a shopping mall after customers consume a rat poison-based COVID cure. The zombies, dubbed “brain deads,” have distinctive Karen haircuts and a craving for “MANAGRRR.” The protagonists, including a skateboarder named Apo, his best friend Jamal, and a girl from a Korean chicken restaurant named Cho, discover the zombies’ weaknesses and try to escape the mall while the army surrounds it.”

Voice actors

Loved the VAs here, intonation is very clear. It sounds very casual and it helps me relate to them more, what they say, and how they say things, its like your everyday conversations with a friend. I also love how cool and casual they sound in the midst of chaos surrounding them, added that subtle humor to their characters.

Music

The first act of ApoKalypse could’ve had more background music in my opinion. Before the outbreak, there were many dead air moments and a background music could’ve added some character to the first act. When the story picks up however, it was great, all the until the end.

Animation

The way ApoKalypse was animated reminds me of Bo-Jack Horseman and South Park. Its very simple, but the simplicity of it adds to the humor and they both compliment each other very well.

I don’t know what style or what’s it even called, but I like that every now and then they add some 3D (is it 3D? I don’t know) effects. Again, its simple, but because the general animation of it is like line art, those “3D” effects would stand out.

Explicit Dark Humor

The trailer alone made me laugh, and that was enough for me to love this movie. In my opinion, this is the core element of the movie and what makes it stand out. I wouldn’t even say that it lacked in the animation department, because the humor fits the cartoon style very well. I couldn’t imagine the humor of this fitting into animation style of like Avatar: The Last Airbender or something. Nonetheless, the title ApoKalypse fits perfectly with what you’ll witness here, pure sheer funny chaos.

Low Budget Awesomeness

I don’t think they’re trying to hide the fact that its an extremely low budgeted movie (not that I can make one like this), it obviously shows that it is, yet it shines through with its unapologetic humor. Its not everyone’s cup of tea, but I liked it.

What I didn’t like

Like I said before, the first act had some awkward silence moments. And I’m not sure if this has something to do with the animation or the technicalities of it, but I noticed that after someone talks, there’s a moment of pause, like he’s going to say something else, but decided not to. It was weird, well maybe it was just me.

There were times that it felt a barrage of intended humor that it wasn’t that funny anymore(?) It felt like a shoving-down-my-throat-laugh-at-my-jokes kind of thing.

Conclusion

This low budget passion project, ApoKalypse, from director Lutz Geiger brought the roof down hard! With its explicit dark humor and very graphic yet cartoonish scenes, will surely give you a laugh. Its a trippy movie, a fun ride for friends (definitely not with children) add some beer and pizza and you’ve got yourself a party!

*Many thanks to the director, Lutz Geiger, for giving me an opportunity to review this passion project of his. Cheers!