Lionel and his girlfriend Paquita go to the zoo for a day out, accompanied by his curious mother. However, the woman is bitten by a Sumatran rat-monkey, triggering a contagious zombie outbreak. Lionel tries to protect his mother by hiding her victims in the basement of their house, but things quickly spiral out of control as the zombies overrun the streets. Braindead, the third feature film by New Zealand director Peter Jackson, who went on to direct The Lord of the Rings trilogy, successfully combines elements of comedy and horror. Set in his home country, this film is a wild and gory ride that showcases Jackson's unique blend of twisted humor and impressive practical effects.