I Used To Eat Brains, Now I Eat Kale

cast roles

cast

Zombie

I Used To Eat Brains, Now I Eat Kale
Book
9

about the project and casting

“I Used to Eat Brains, Now I Eat Kale” is a short story by the American author Nathan Ballingrud. It is part of his collection “Wounds: Six Stories from the Border of Hell,” published in 2019. The story combines horror and dark humor, exploring themes of identity, transformation, and redemption.

Summary

The protagonist is a zombie who, after an inexplicable transformation, becomes a vegetarian. This change from craving human brains to eating kale reflects a deeper, more existential struggle. The story is set in a world where zombies exist alongside humans, and the protagonist’s transformation challenges societal norms and expectations about what it means to be a zombie.

Themes

  1. Transformation and Redemption: The protagonist’s shift from a brain-eating zombie to a kale-eating one serves as a metaphor for personal growth and redemption. It explores the idea that change is possible, even for those who seem beyond redemption.
  2. Identity and Acceptance: The story delves into the concept of identity, questioning what defines a person (or zombie). It highlights the struggles of accepting oneself and seeking acceptance from others.
  3. Humor and Horror: Ballingrud masterfully blends horror with humor, creating a narrative that is both unsettling and amusing. The absurdity of a vegetarian zombie adds a layer of dark comedy to the story.

Style and Tone

Ballingrud’s writing style in “I Used to Eat Brains, Now I Eat Kale” is both vivid and evocative, with a strong emphasis on character development and atmospheric detail. The tone balances between grotesque and humorous, keeping readers engaged and reflective.

Reception

The story has been well-received for its originality and the way it subverts typical zombie tropes. Critics have praised Ballingrud’s ability to inject fresh life into the zombie genre while tackling profound themes in an accessible and entertaining manner.

Adaptations

As of June 25th, Amazon MGM Studios has acquired “I Used to Eat Brains, Now I Eat Kale,” a zombie feature package based on the adventure-comedy short story of the same name by Adam and Daniel Cooper, also known as The Cooper Twins.

The story is set in a “post-post-apocalyptic” world where former zombies struggle to reintegrate into society. Ryan Gosling and Jessie Henderson will produce the film under their first-look deal with the studio through their recently launched banner, General Admission.