Compare and contrast 28 Days Later with Shaun of the Dead, commenting on the structuralism or post-structuralism qualities

Structuralism is a theory that states how every element to something relates to a bigger picture. Structuralist films emphasise heavily on how films convey meaning through the use of codes and conventions and how single elements make a film a whole. However, post-structuralism is a contrast to this and argues that the structure within every text does not make the film a whole.

The first structuralist idea we see in 28 Days Later is the setting of the film. The film is set in the city of London and little parts in the edge of Manchester but it is not placed in the streets, however, it is placed in abandoned mansions and churches to emphasise the horror and isolation within the film. This contrasts with Shaun of the Dead which is set in the suburban area of London in houses and pubs. This gives the idea of how zombie apocalypses can happen to anyone, anywhere and it does not mean that is has to be in isolated places. Furthermore, this adds to the comedy aspect of Shaun of the Dead as it is not a normal setting.

The characters and plot of both films also display a difference in their post-structuralist and structuralist ideas. In 28 Days Later, the characters are determined to survive the apocalypse and will fight no matter what it takes. This idea is shown as a structuralist idea as it is a common theme is horror films is survival and to fight. However, this contrasts with Shaun of the Dead as they too are determined to survive, however they will not fight if they don’t have to. Majority of the film is about them trying to escape the zombies and trying different ways so they do not have to fight. This again shows the comedic theme in the film as they act like zombies to try and escape however also shows the post-structuralist theory of the film as not following codes and conventions. Shaun of the Dead also goes against codes and conventions as they do not show a lot of blood or gore for effect but more for comedic purposes. This again is a post-structuralist idea. The main characters in the films are both trying to be the hero and lead their group to safety however, in both films it shows how the women are actually the strongest characters and can look after themselves. This is both a post-modern and post-structuralist idea. The villains in both films are the same type of villain however; they are different in the way that they act. Zombies are structuralist ideas like 28 Days Later shows as their zombies move extremely quickly and turn into a zombie seconds after becoming infected by a bite. However, Shaun of the Dead expands on the idea of structuralist zombies as they take quite a few minutes to turn into a zombie after becoming infected, again by a bite and they move extremely slowly. To add to the comedic effect of the film again, Shaun, the lead character, walks straight past several zombies without noticing due to their slow nature.

In both films, they have used costumes to emphasise on the horror aspect of the film. In both films, the zombies are covered in blood to give this horror effect of them having killed someone. They also wear torn clothes, glazed over or white eyes and they also may be missing a limb. These are all structuralist ideas as they back up the paradigms of horror. However, the human clothes vary throughout the two films. In 28 Days Later the characters are seen as wearing army type clothing to show that they are fighting a battle however this contrasts massively with Shaun of the Dead as they are wearing normal clothes such as suits and skirts to show how unprepared they are and how they don’t understand the seriousness of the situation. This can be both post-structuralist and structuralist as it promoted the idea of something so bad happening to someone so normal.

The props used in both films contrast with one another as one is structuralist and one is post-structuralist. In 28 Days Later, the weapons used as props are knives, guns, axes and anything that can do a lot of damage. This is a structuralist idea as they are proper weapons that are dangerous and can do a lot of damage. However, this contrast with Shaun of the Dead as they use vinyl record, snooker cues and cricket bats. This is seen as a post-structuralist idea as they are not the normal weapons which a horror film would use. This goes against codes and conventions and is used more as a comedic value. This is supported by the fact that in the scene with the snooker cue, the hits go along with the beat of the music which is ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ by Queen.

Therefore, Shaun of the Dead very rarely follows codes and conventions of horror films compared to 28 Days Later who follow majority of the codes and conventions. Due to not following these codes and conventions, it is possible to say that Shaun of the Dead is a post-structuralist film who is basing the horror around a comedic aspect whereas 28 Days Later would like to induce fear into their audience instead of a comedic aspect. This therefore makes 28 Days Later a structuralist film.