Lupita Nyong’o shines brightly in a frequently funny Rom-Zom-Com that’s available now on Sky Movies or in selected cinemas.

The durability of the zombie genre means that every once in awhile, a little gem comes along. Abe Forsythe’s Little Monsters is that gem. Meet Dave (Alexander England); his music glory days are far behind him (not that ever really started) and he’s just been dumped by his girlfriend. Forced to live with his sister and his young nephew Felix until he’s back on his feet, Dave’s life has hit a new low. However, a ray of sunshine arrives when Dave meets Felix’s kindergarten teacher, Miss Caroline (Lupita Nyong’o).

Wanting to spend more time with Miss Caroline, Dave swiftly volunteers to help out on a school field trip, but he’s bitten off more than he can chew. Before someone can say “you’ve got red on you”, the field trip and chaperones are overrun by a zombie outbreak. Throw in an unhinged children’s TV presenter, Teddy McGiggle (Josh Gad), and the race is on to escape with as few casualties as possible.

Frequently nearing the knuckle of bad taste, Little Monsters dances a fine line between the two genres it has fused, there are moments of genuine sweetness followed by something shocking. At its heart, this is a comedy and a hilarious one at that if you’re willing to go along with the simple premise. After the back to back blockbusters Black Panter and Jordan Peele’s US, Lupita Nyong’o once again steals the show. In lesser hands, Miss Caroline would have been a one-note character, but Lupita Nyong’o elevates the somewhat thin material to another level.

Josh Gad is a household name to millions of children who know him as the voice of Olaf from Frozen. Teddy McGiggle is a foul-mouthed selfish drunk; there are laughs to be had from a children’s entertainer who loathes kids. To be fair, quite a few good chuckles, but it does start to wear thin before the credits roll. To say Little Monsters is the best Rom-Zom-Com since Shaun of the Dead might sound like a backhanded compliment as there hasn’t been an abundance of them. That said, Little Monsters is funny, sweet, often gross, it is by no means scary, but Forsythe is aiming for laughs, not frights.

★★★★